Glossary of Linguistic Terms

Brand-New Entity

Definition: 

A brand-new entity is a referent that:

  • has not been mentioned previously in the discourse
  • is assumed by the speaker to be previously unknown to the addressee
Examples: 

(English)

In the following example, a guy I work with refers to a brand-new entity. However, when referred to again as he, it is no longer brand new, but salient information:

  • A guy I work with says he knows your sister.
Source: 
233, 235–236