NOT.8:4.2 - Establish the references that locate an occurrence

Give the origin, unit, frame or recurring reference needed to interpret the signs. For cyclic time, identify the cycle and position within it when occurrences across cycles must be distinguished. For movement, identify the participant, body part, spatial frame and starting condition that affect the interpretation.

Choose whether timing is absolute, relative to another event or relative to a maintained pulse. If a tempo change should retain relative positions, preserve that relation when changing elapsed durations. If a deadline is in seconds, a mere proportional rescaling may change the required result.

Give different participants a way to align their references when joint action or comparison needs it. A shared visible pulse, a named event or a common clock can supply alignment under its own conditions. Separately timestamped records do not establish event order unless their clock relation supports that inference.

Keep the reference identifiable during use. A repeated syllable can denote the same position in successive beats while being a different occurrence each time. A rightward direction can change in room coordinates when its body frame turns.