On The Reference Functions Of Two-Word Appositive Phrases

Appositive phrases, as a common type of phrase in modern Chinese, have a referential function. This paper studies the reference of appositive phrases.First of all, the meaning of reference and apposition is discussed. The referents of appositive phrases are analyzed and classified. It is proposed that the referential manner of appositive phrases is a combination of pre-reference and post-reference.The following part analyzes the reference meaning of appositive phrases. Referential and non-referential phrases are distinguished and explained from the perspective of Pragmatics. As for the referential ones, we also present the restrictive and non-restrictive conditions.Later, the communicative psychology reflected by reference in appositive phrases is studied. All the evidence shows that when people use appositive phrases to refer things or people, they bear strong emotion and communicative intention.Finally, the advantages of reference by appositive phrases over nouns are discussed.