BibTeX
@MISC{Mithun_prosodiccues,
author = {Marianne Mithun},
title = {Prosodic Cues to Accessibilitv},
year = {}
}
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Abstract
The forms of referring expressions chosen by speakers are not random, as has been shown by the work of contributors!o this volume and others. The forrns can be corelated with at least two kinds of factors. One is the speaker,s assessment of the background knowledge shared by the hearer. This factor can be reflected in such choices as definite versus indefrnite noun phrases. A second is the speaker's assessment of the atlention state of the hearer, the degree to which information is active within consciousness at the momenl This factor can be.reflected in such choices as full noun phrases versus pronouns. The speaker's choice of expression can be interpreted as a clue to the hearer in identifying the intended referent: within the realm of shared knowledge or not, within current focal consciousness or not. Recent discus_
