Rules and Exceptions in Anaphoric Processing (RED 26)

International Conference on Language and Communication as part of the Research Network on Referential Expressions in Discourse (RED).

21-22 May 2026

Location
Transilvania University of Brașov
Sala 181, Rectorat Building
Bulevardul Eroilor 29
500036, Brașov
România

The Rectorat Building is centrally located in Brașov, within walking distance of numerous hotels, restaurants, and the historic city centre.

Link to Website

Aims

In recent decades, an extensive corpus of research has been dedicated to the examination of anaphoric relations in various linguistic contexts. This research encompasses a broad spectrum of studies, ranging from the development of theoretical frameworks in dynamic semantics to experimental investigations into the factors that govern anaphoric relations. However, a plethora of questions remain unresolved. Of particular interest is the interaction of categorical rules with disparate gradient scales in shaping anaphoric interpretation and use. For example, the mechanisms by which the features of anaphoric pronouns are determined become particularly complex in certain situations, such as copular constructions and in cases of reference to kinds, pluralities, events, or propositions. In dialogue, direct and indirect speech, free indirect discourse, and shifts across intensional contexts, both the empirical conditions on accessibility and the formal relation between antecedent and anaphoric expression remain insufficiently understood. Recent investigations in the study of Sign Languages and gesture semantics have added a crucial dimension, raising questions about the cross-modal validity of current theories of anaphoricity.

We invite researchers in semantics, pragmatics and philosophy, to submit their research on the theoretical modeling and experimental investigation of anaphoric relations, including both diachronic perspectives and questions concerning the cross-modal applicability of theories of anaphoric relations.

Keynote speakers

• Hannah Rohde (Edinburgh)
• Petra Schumacher (Köln)
• Rodica Zafiu (Bucharest)

Important Dates
Deadline for submissions: 1 December 2025
Notification of authors: 30 January 2026
Conference: 21–22 May 2026

How to Get to Brașov

1. By Plane – Direct Flights to Brașov
Brașov is served by Brașov-Ghimbav International Airport, located approximately 30 minutes from the city centre. The airport offers direct connections to several European cities, operated by Wizz Air.
From the airport, the most convenient way to reach the city centre and the conference venue is by taxi or ride-sharing services (e.g., Bolt or Uber).

• Travel time: approx. 30 minutes
• Cost: approx. €8–12

2. Via Bucharest
An alternative and often more flexible option is to fly to Henri Coandă International Airport (Bucharest). From there, you can reach Brașov by:

a) Train

• Travel time: approximately 3 hours, plus 1–2 hours transfer from the airport to the main railway station (by bus, taxi, or metro), depending on schedule
• Cost: approximately € 40 (one way)
• Tickets can be purchased at the railway station or online via CFR Călători:
  https://bilete.cfrcalatori.ro/en-GB/Itineraries

b) Minivan Shuttle

• 6-passenger shuttle service from the arrivals terminal directly to Brașov
• Travel time: approximately 3–4 hours (depending on traffic)
• Cost: approx. € 30 (one way)
• Reservations:
  https://www.transferairport.ro/en/
  https://direct-aeroport.ro/grafic-curse/otopeni-brasov

c) Private Transfer

• Chauffeur pick-up directly from the airport
• Travel time: approximately 3 hours (depending on traffic)
• Cost: approximately €75 per car (one way); 

Accomodation
tba

Conference Fee
The conference fee of € 80 covers:

• Coffee breaks
• Two conference lunches on site

Contact
For assistance with travel planning, please contact the conference organisers at: red26_brasov(at)yahoo(dot)com

Programme

Thursday, May 21, 2026

Friday, May 22, 2026

Poster Session (May 21, 12:30-14:00)

Adina Camelia Bleotu, Monica Alexandrina Irimia, and Tom Roeper
The Acquisition of Null Objects and Reflexive SE with Grooming Verbs in Romanian

Christopher Saure
Enabling Perspective Shift and Enforcing De Dicto Readings in Indirect Discourse

Evan Hochstein, Jesse Harris, and Maria Mercedes Piñango
Cognitive Animacy Perceptions and Pronoun Resolution

Margherita Pasini and Chiara Gianollo
Null Subjects in Latin. A Textual Analysis

Ruxandra Cosma
Towards an Architecture of Situational Reference. A Comparative Semantic Analysis in German and Romanian.

Takanobu Nakamura
A dynamic approach to non-maximal anaphora

Timo Buchholz and Klaus von Heusinger
German Anaphoric Demonstrative Pronouns, Contrast and Animacy

Zi Huang
Anaphoric Reference to Events via the Fact

Organisation
Sofiana Lindemann (Brașov) and Klaus von Heusinger (Köln)

Abstracts
We invite theoretical and empirical contributions for 30 min presentations (plus 15 min for discussion) in English. Abstracts should be anonymous and not longer than two pages (Times New Roman 12 pt., single space, 2.4 cm margins) as a PDF.
Please submit per e-mail to: red26_brasov(at)yahoo(dot)com

Topics of interest include but are not limited to:

• Formal and semantic features of anaphoric pronouns
• Ontology and accessibility of anaphoric antecedents
• Demonstrative vs. anaphoric pronouns
• The role of prominence and discourse coherence/discourse structure in anaphoric relations
• Anaphoric reference in narratives and dialogue
• Anaphoric reference in Sign Languages

Contact
red26_brasov(at)yahoo(dot)com