ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with placing the debates on temporal reference in the context of the interfaces between the metaphysics, epistemology, linguistics, and psychology of time, followed by a brief introduction to two major orientations as far as temporality is concerned, called in the philosophical literature 'tensed' and 'tenseless' approaches. Temporal reference in discourse is a topic that is intrinsically connected with the question of how humans conceptualise time. The chapter describes selected current debates which concerns the semantics and pragmatics of time, focuses on the relationship between temporality and modality and on the question of the universal vs. language-specific status of temporal reference. It explores discussion of pertinent cross-linguistic differences in expressing temporality and present and assess explanations of these differences. The chapter concludes with pointing out cutting-edge problems and debates, as well as with an informed speculation on future directions in research on temporal reference.
