co-indexing (n.)

A term used in GENERATIVE LINGUISTIC theory to refer to the process of assigning the same subscript letter (generally starting with i, j . . .) or numeral to a series of CONSTITUENTS; superscripts are sometimes used. In particular, these numerals mark the identity of constituents in the DEEP STRUCTURE of a SENTENCE. Co-indexed elements are intended to be CO-REFERENTIAL or be elements belonging to the same CHAIN, as in He_i saw himself_i or He_i was murdered t_i (where t_i is a TRACE of he_i ).