Final answer:
When a signer uses a pronoun to refer back to the subject after the main clause, it is known as a pronoun reference. The pronoun must have a clear and specific antecedent and must agree in case, gender, and number with the noun it replaces.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a signer uses a pronoun after the main clause to refer back to the subject, it is referred to as a pronoun reference. A pronoun should clearly refer back to a specific antecedent. For example, in the sentence 'All nine members of the school board voted in favor of changing the district's mascot. They explained their reasoning during the meeting,' the pronoun 'they' clearly refers to 'members of the school board'.
Proper pronoun usage is important because it ensures clarity in writing and speech. Pronouns take on different forms depending on their case: subjective, objective, or possessive. 'I' is subjective, 'me' is objective, and 'my' is possessive. Pronouns must match the noun they replace in gender and number to maintain clear and effective communication.