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<Paper uid="P89-1008">
  <Title>CONVERSATIONALLY RELEVANT DESCRIPTIONS</Title>
  <Section position="6" start_page="65" end_page="65" type="concl">
    <SectionTitle>
5 Indefinite descriptions
</SectionTitle>
    <Paragraph position="0"> In this paper I take referring exp~ssious to be uses of noun phrases that are intended to indicate that a particular object is being talked about. Hence, indefinite descriptions can obviously serve as referring expressions, and the distinction between functional and conversational relevance should apply to them as well. Usually, a use of an indefinite description as a referring expression signals to the hearer that the identity of the referent is not important (e.g., IA policeman gave me a speeding ticketJ). Some uses of indefinite descriptions, however, are clearly made with the intention that the hearer identify whom the speaker has in mind. For example, 23 A person I know did not take out the garbage as he had promised...</Paragraph>
    <Paragraph position="1"> Here, identification is obviously required, but it does not matter at all how the referent is identified. The indefinite description is, therefore, only functionally relevant. In contrast, consider the following 24 A cardioeaacuclar s~ci~t told me that I exercise too much.</Paragraph>
    <Paragraph position="2"> Although the identity of the physician is not important, the fact that he is a cardiovascular specialist surely is. The indefinite description is, therefore, con~ersatiqnally relevant.</Paragraph>
    <Paragraph position="3"> Deborah Dalai discusses interesting cases in which an indefinite description is both speC/if~ (i.e., used with the intention that the hearer know the identity of the referent) and attributive (that is, conversationally relevant). Here is one of her examples: 25 Dr. Smith told me that exercise helps. Since I heard it from a doctor, I'm inclined to believe it \[Dahl 1984\].</Paragraph>
    <Paragraph position="4"> Clearly, an accurate interpretation of aa doctor ~ would connect the referent with Dr. Smith. At the same time, the use of the indefinite description highlights a property of Smith which is conversationally relevant. Note that the indefinite description is used to implicate a universal generaliffiation, namely, that in view of what doctors know, any doctor who gives you an advice, should (other things being equal) be listened to. This is very similar in structure to the implkature that is typically associated with conversationally relevant definite descriptions.</Paragraph>
    <Paragraph position="5"> As is the case with definite descriptions, such uses of indefinite descriptions can accomplish other purposes besides (or instead of) implicating a universal gsneralization. For example, 26 In fact, the Dewey-Truman matchup illustrates the point. Mr. Truman was thought to be a weak leader who could not carry out his strong predecessor's program.</Paragraph>
    <Paragraph position="6"> His election prospects were bleak. The pundits were against him and a highly successful Northe~tsrn Governor was poised to sweep into the White House.</Paragraph>
    <Paragraph position="7"> (New York Times, May 26, 1988)' The calculation of the impllcature conveyed by the indefinite description is left as an exercise for the reader.</Paragraph>
  </Section>
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