On Quasi-Proper Names

Abstract

In this paper, I shall deal with quasi-(proper) names, that is expressions like ‘Mum’, ‘Dad’, ‘Grandpa’, ‘Grandma’ in English or ‘Papà’, ‘Mamma’, ‘Nonna’, ‘Nonno’ in Italian. My aim is to describe their uses and to throw further light on the theory of proper names. My view is that quasi-names are even more directly referential than proper names, as they stress continuity in the reference to a certain person. While proper names are always contextual, in so far as the context can select the referent in question (e.g. through salience), a quasi-name guarantees semantic continuity in that the referent is normally anchored to the speaker.

Keywords

• Direct reference. Nicknames. Proper names. Quasi-names. Referential presuppositions. Strawson on proper names