Chapter in:
Reference: From conventions to pragmatics
Edited by Laure Gardelle, Laurence Vincent-Durroux and Hélène Vinckel-Roisin
[Studies in Language Companion Series 228] 2023
► pp. 53–70

Is ambient it truly non-referential?

| Université de Bretagne Occidentale, HCTI

This chapter examines the non-referential status frequently ascribed to ambient it (i.e. the pronoun it used with weather verbs and expressions of time and distance). In line with Langacker (2011), I aim to show that this use of the pronoun it is in fact referential. First, I examine the reasons why ambient it is traditionally denied a referential status and propose counter arguments. I then argue that a speaker always conveys a referential intention when using ambient it (frequently accompanied by an ostension gesture). The pointed referent, although completely obvious, is vague and difficult to name and delimit. Finally, I analyze cases that share characteristics with ambient it but that cannot be entirely included in the same category.

Keywords: ambient it , reference, weather it , pronoun, ostension
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.What is “ambient it”?
    • 2.1Definition
    • 2.2Why is ambient it traditionally considered non-referential?
  • 3.A referential interpretation of ambient it
    • 3.1Ambient it and referring intention
    • 3.2Ambient it, deixis and ostension
    • 3.3Ambient it and anaphora
  • 4.The semantic value of ambient it
    • 4.1Is ambient it a meaningless form?
    • 4.2The problem of delimiting the referent
  • 5.Ambient it : A referential but problematic pronoun
  • 6.Concluding remarks
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
This content is being prepared for publication; it may be subject to changes.
https://doi.org/10.1075/slcs.228.03mat
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