Direct reference has been a central concern within the Philosophy of Language since the path-breaking work of Kaplan and Kripke in the late 60s and early 70s. The concept is equally important for Linguistics, however, as it enters into the interpretation process of certain natural language expressions (definite NPs such as proper names, demonstratives and definite descriptions). Specificity, on the other hand, is a more recent concept in the semantics of indefinite NPs. The concepts have much in common, however, and each is important for both Linguistics and Philosophy of Language and Logic. The workshop will focus on these similarities (as well as on the differences).

Discussion topics:

Is specificity the "direct-reference"-mood for indefinites? 
What can we learn from the analysis of specific indefinites for the referential properties of various definite NPs? 
What are the linguistic (universal or language particular) means to mark direct reference/specificity? 
How are direct reference/specificity with questions of mental representation?

Invited speakers:

Barbara Abbott	Specificity and referentiality
Donka Farkas	Referential stability and differential case marking in Romanian
Philippe Schlenker	Island-escaping indefinites and Scopal Independence
Ede Zimmermann	Pare Plurals and Specificity

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