[...] Who are the speaker and the addressee? When and where did
the utterance take place?
The tokens “I”, “you”, “next week” and “here” are deictic expressions. According to Charles
J. Fillmore (FILLMORE 1997: §1) “[d]eixis can be defined as the anchorage of an utterance
in the extralinguistic context.” Anderson´s and Keenan´s definition (1985) is similar to
Fillmore´s:
“Following standard usage, we consider as deictic expressions (or deictics
for short) those linguistic elements whose interpretation in simple sentences
makes essential reference to properties of the extralinguistic context of the
utterance in which they occur.”1 (ANDERSON and KEENAN 1985: 259)
The “most frequently quoted definition” (LENZ 2003: VII) of deixis comes from John Lyons
(1977):
“By deixis is meant the location and identification of persons, objects, events,
processes and activities being talked about, or referred to, in relation to the
spatiotemporal context created and sustained by the act of utterance and the
participation in it, typically, of a single speaker and at least one addressee.”
(Lyons 1977: 637)
The definitions show that deixis does not merely belong to the field of semantics. The use of
deictic elements depends on a particular context. Thus, deixis is on the interface of semantics
and pragmatics. Since deixis is a universal phenomenon, typologists examine its variations
and similarities throughout the languages of the world. The initial example shows that we rely
heavily on deictic elements in every-day language. We refer to places, objects, persons, times,
and many more things by means of deixis. Therefore, the study of deixis is not only
interesting to linguists but to anyone who is engaged in language in general.
My approach is to use deictic elements in English as a starting point. I will then move on to
compare the strategies of English with those of other languages. My aims are to show how wide the range of deictic elements in human language is and how much the concepts of
certain languages vary from what we are used to.
There are different types of deixis: The main categories are local deixis, person deixis, social
deixis, furthermore time deixis and manner deixis. This paper concentrates on local deixis,
“the prototype of deixis” (SENNHOLZ 1985: 168-169). Additionally, a general overview on
person and social deixis is provived.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Local deixis
- 2.1. Demonstratives and local adverbs
- 2.1.1. Two term systems
- 2.1.2. Three term systems: person oriented vs. distance oriented systems
- 2.1.3. Four and five term systems
- 2.1.4. Systems with more than five terms and systems with more than one dimension of contrast
- 2.2. Deictic verbs
- 2.3. Non-deictic strategies of locating objects in space
- 2.4. Extensions of spatial deixis
- 2.1. Demonstratives and local adverbs
- 3. Person deixis
- 4. Social deixis
- 5. Summary
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to explore the diverse range of deictic elements across various languages, highlighting the differences and similarities in their conceptualizations. It uses English as a starting point before comparing its deictic strategies to those of other languages. The objective is to demonstrate the wide variety of deictic elements and the extent to which concepts in different languages can vary.
- The universality and variation of deictic systems across languages.
- A comparison of English deictic strategies with those of other languages.
- The role of context in the interpretation of deictic expressions.
- The relationship between deixis, semantics, and pragmatics.
- Different types of deixis (local, person, social).
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter defines deixis, drawing upon definitions from prominent linguists like Fillmore, Anderson & Keenan, and Lyons. It establishes deixis as a phenomenon situated at the intersection of semantics and pragmatics, emphasizing its contextual dependence. The chapter highlights the prevalence of deixis in everyday language and introduces the paper's methodology, which focuses on comparing deictic strategies in English with those of other languages. It outlines the different types of deixis, with a primary focus on local deixis and a secondary overview of person and social deixis. The chapter effectively sets the stage for the detailed analysis of deictic systems presented in subsequent sections.
2. Local deixis: This chapter delves into local deixis, the most common type of deixis, which concerns the location of objects in space relative to the speaker. It explores the use of local adverbs and demonstrative pronouns, illustrating how languages vary in the number of distinctions they make (e.g., two-term systems, three-term systems). The chapter carefully distinguishes between person-oriented and distance-oriented three-term systems, using Japanese as an example of a person-oriented system. It also briefly touches upon deictic verbs, non-deictic spatial location strategies, and extensions of spatial deixis. The chapter provides a foundational understanding of the complexities within local deictic systems and the ways in which languages organize spatial reference.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Deixis, local deixis, person deixis, social deixis, demonstratives, local adverbs, deictic verbs, spatial reference, cross-linguistic comparison, semantics, pragmatics, language typology.
FAQ: Comprehensive Language Preview on Deixis
What is the overall focus of this language preview?
This preview offers a comprehensive overview of deixis in language, examining its diverse manifestations across different languages. It focuses on the comparison of deictic strategies, particularly highlighting the variations and similarities in conceptualizations of deixis across linguistic systems.
What types of deixis are covered in this preview?
The preview primarily focuses on three main types of deixis: local deixis (spatial referencing), person deixis (referencing individuals), and social deixis (referencing social roles and relationships). While local deixis receives the most detailed attention, the other two types are also introduced and discussed.
What is the structure of the preview?
The preview is structured to provide a complete understanding of deixis. It begins with an introduction defining deixis and outlining its importance. Then, it delves into the specific types of deixis, starting with a detailed exploration of local deixis. Subsequent chapters cover person and social deixis. Chapter summaries are provided, along with a table of contents, objectives and key themes, and keywords.
How does the preview approach the study of deixis?
The preview employs a comparative approach, using English as a starting point to illustrate deictic strategies and then contrasting them with examples from other languages. This comparative methodology emphasizes the universality and variation of deictic systems across different languages.
What are the key themes explored in the preview?
Key themes include the universality and variation of deictic systems, a cross-linguistic comparison of deictic strategies (particularly focusing on English), the crucial role of context in interpreting deictic expressions, the interplay between deixis, semantics, and pragmatics, and the categorization and analysis of different deictic types (local, person, social).
What aspects of local deixis are covered?
The section on local deixis examines various systems for expressing spatial relations, such as two-term, three-term (person-oriented vs. distance-oriented), four-term, and five-term systems. It also discusses deictic verbs and non-deictic strategies for spatial referencing.
What is the methodology used in this preview?
The methodology involves defining deixis based on established linguistic theories and then comparing and contrasting the ways different languages express deictic concepts. The analysis highlights both the commonalities and the significant variations in how languages represent deixis.
What are the key takeaways from the preview?
The key takeaways emphasize the wide variety and complexity of deictic systems across languages, the contextual dependence of deictic interpretation, and the significant differences in how languages conceptualize and express spatial, personal, and social relations through deictic expressions. The preview ultimately demonstrates the importance of considering cross-linguistic variation when studying deixis.
- Quote paper
- Martin Lehmannn (Author), 2003, Deictic elements throughout the languages of the world - A comparison, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/19905