Referent vs. Reference — What's the Difference?

A referent in linguistic terms is the actual thing or concept to which a word or expression refers. It's the real-world entity or idea that is identified by the use of a linguistic expression. For example, the referent of the word "dog" is the actual animal that is being spoken about. Reference, however, is the action of referring to something within a conversation or text. It involves the use of words, symbols, or other data to point to information or ideas.

In communication, a speaker uses a referent to ensure clarity about what they are discussing. The referent grounds the conversation in a shared understanding of the topic or object. Conversely, reference is the broader mechanism that encompasses not only words but also the context in which they are used, allowing for the conveyance of meaning beyond the explicit.

Referents are concrete or abstract; they can be a physical object, like a 'car,' or an intangible concept, like 'freedom.' In this sense, the referent is the target of the communication. A reference might not be so concrete; it could be a citation, an allusion to something else, or even a symbolic gesture that points to additional meaning or information.

The clarity of a referent is crucial in effective communication. If the referent is unclear, misunderstandings can occur. In contrast, a reference can be deliberately vague or indirect, as it may serve to invoke associations or call upon the recipient's knowledge and imagination to fill in the gaps.

Lastly, the determination of a referent is a key aspect of semantics and helps in understanding the link between language and reality. Reference, as a part of language mechanics, is more about the operation of pointing to or invoking something within the realm of communication, be it written, spoken, or visual.