ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-NAV-G05-005 · ATLAS 259

Self-reference

Self-reference occurs when an expression, text or system refers to itself in a specified sense.

Part of the subject path Argumentation, Logic and Discourse

Why is this entry in the Atlas?

A · Analytical concept R1 · Distinct contribution to understanding

Self-reference adds an expression's or system's reference to itself, linking autonymy with broader forms. Reference to self alone implies neither contradiction nor a paradoxical structure.

Colours and admission grounds

The rectangular label identifies the entry function: F – linguistic figure or procedure; A – analytical concept; G – foundational concept; E – selected concrete case. The rounded badge indicates the admission ground: R1 – distinctive contribution; R2 – necessary foundation; R3 – justified illustrative case. This editorial rationale explains the current selection rather than claiming an undocumented original selection history.

Explanation

Self-reference occurs when an expression, text or system refers to itself in a specified sense. The relevant unit must be identified: a sentence, its utterance, an entire work or a formal procedure. Self-reference can be direct or mediated and need not generate a contradiction. A narrative about narration is likewise not automatically about its own narration. Alongside paradox, mise en abyme and metafiction, the concept helps distinguish different forms of reflection instead of treating every metalevel as a logical paradox.

Movement of thought

1. Identify the referential unit. 2. Reconstruct the reference relation. 3. Distinguish direct from mediated reference. 4. Examine the claim's conditions. 5. Investigate any paradox separately.

Scientific use case

Literary and logical analysis can model self-reference separately from its consequences.

Example

“This sentence contains five words” refers to its own linguistic form; the claim can be checked by counting.

Counterexample

A novel about another novel is not self-referential for that reason alone.

Distinction

Distinguish self-reference from metalanguage, repetition, recursion and inevitable contradiction.

Effect on thought and perception

Self-reference makes the describing form itself an object.

Resonance

A pointer can turn towards the hand that holds it.

Provenance

Parallel corpus 98f0950771ae4662f291d2f15f5c51b6797f3c20ba458a68615cdb177002ea18; case-bounded source review accepted; human specialist review not claimed.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Self-reference“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-NAV-G05-005. ATLAS 259, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G05-005

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G05-005

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