Mistaking Nominal Groups For Reference Items

Martin (1992: 141-2):

Again, the dependency relations in the chain are worked out in accordance with the principle that anaphoric items are related backwards once to the item last realising or presuming the information they presume; thus [in 3:79] the boy in the fifth clause and the dog in the sixth are shown to presume they in the fourth.

[3:79]

The boy and the dog woke up
and saw that the frog was missing.
with the boy leading the way [sic]

They headed off for the woods,
with the boy leading the way
and the dog following behind him.

Blogger Comments:

This continues the mistaking of nominal groups for reference items, on the basis of theoretical misunderstandings previously identified in this chapter review.  In the fourth clause of this text constructed by Martin, the reference item they makes anaphoric personal co-reference to first-mentioned boy and dog.  In the fifth clause, it is the reference item the that makes anaphoric demonstrative co-reference to first-mentioned boy, and in the sixth clause, it is the reference item the that makes anaphoric demonstrative co-reference to first-mentioned dog.