ABSTRACT
In understanding language understanding and, in particular, reading comprehension, it is almost a truism to say that one cannot stop at the analysis of single sentences. There is at least one major topic relevant to anaphora of which space limitations preclude a discussion. This chapter sketches out answers to three important questions about the antecedents and referents of anaphoric expressions. These are what is it that is accessible to anaphora, what is the role of text vis a vis antecedents and referents, and what is the role of inference? The chapter discusses how the need to account for successful anaphoric expressions places constraints on models for human memory. It presents some factors that have been proposed as functioning in anaphor resolution. Finally, the chapter also discusses past and possible future research on skill acquisition, in view of the approach to anaphora.
