A study of the relationship between referencing and textual genre

Abstract

In the studies on Referencing, the term “object of discourse” refers to a textual occurrence of the  utterance that acquires meaning in the proper happening of the discursive activity. The application of this notion has been undergoing adjustments. Before it was limited only to forms of language (words, expressions), it already encompasses nonverbal semiosis and is inserted in a cognitive-discursive perspective of reference, according to which this activity is not limited to the textual surface. The objective of this research is, therefore, to problematize the limits of the term “object of discourse”, discussing the relation between textual genre and reference. Our proposal is to extend its formal scope, which should cover schematic units and categories of textual genres in the referral process. The epistemological framework that supports the study brings together theories in which language is  contemplated as a socio cognitive and interactional activity, the subjects performing inferential and  mutually collaborative procedures. The notion of textual categories is thought from the schematic   superstructures (VAN DIJK, 1980, 1990, 1996) and their study is developed based on the theories on   Referencing. (MONDADA and DUBOIS, 2003 [1995]).