Prelude: co-reference and implicit cohesion

Before introducing Entries 14 to 30, let us take a moment to briefly discuss two points. First is the concept of co-reference, a key for understanding one of the mechanisms of cohesion. Second, as a cautionary measure not to ignore cases of cohesion unmarked by linguistic devices, we touch upon the issue of implicit cohesion.

Cohesion in discourse is often achieved by referring to items common across sentences and paragraphs. This leads us to the concept of “coreference.” Co-reference means referring to an identical item. For example, note the connection in terms of reference between the two sentences.

1. (1.1) Otoko ga kyooshitsu ni haitte kita.

2. man came into the classroom.)

3. (1.2) Otoko wa ookina kaban o motteiru.

4. man has a large bag.)

When reading these two sentences, under normal circumstances we interpret the person referred to as otoko in (1.1) as being identical to the person referred to in (1.2). Thus both phrases co-refer to the identical referent, a case of co-reference. Co-reference provides the most obvious clue for the semantic connection between sentences; it is a mechanism that supports the overtly marked cohesion.

One can express cohesion in many other ways, in terms of associated meanings, logical ties, through a consistent rhetorical style, and so on. Overt strategies signaling cohesion include, among others, pronouns, demonstratives, repetition, and sentence structures such as no da and wake da, all of which are presented in detail in entries to follow.

At this point we should remind ourselves of the danger of ignoring implicit cohesion, i.e., cohesion not marked by cohesive devices.