Deictic meaning

Deictic refers to words or phrases that point to specific things in the context of a conversation or written text.


Deictic definitions

Word backwards citcied
Part of speech Adjective
Syllabic division deic-tic
Plural The plural of the word "deictic" is "deictics".
Total letters 7
Vogais (2) e,i
Consonants (3) d,c,t

Deictic expressions are linguistic elements that depend on the context in which they are used to convey meaning. These expressions typically include words like "this," "that," "here," and "there," which point to specific people, objects, or locations within a given context.

Types of Deictic Expressions

There are three main types of deictic expressions: person deixis, spatial deixis, and temporal deixis. Person deixis refers to elements that point to the person speaking (first person), the person being spoken to (second person), or others being spoken about (third person). Spatial deixis involves words that indicate locations and distances, while temporal deixis pertains to time-related references.

Examples of Deictic Words

Common deictic words include "here" (indicating a close location), "there" (indicating a distant location), "now" (indicating the present moment), "then" (indicating a past or future time), "this" (referring to something close to the speaker), and "that" (referring to something farther away from the speaker).

Usage in Communication

Deictic expressions play a crucial role in communication by helping speakers and listeners establish a shared frame of reference. By using deictic words appropriately, speakers can provide context, clarity, and coherence to their messages, allowing for effective communication and understanding.

In conclusion, deictic expressions serve as essential linguistic tools for indicating specific persons, objects, locations, and times within a given context. Understanding how these expressions function can enhance both spoken and written communication, facilitating clearer and more precise interactions between individuals.


Deictic Examples

  1. "I'll be there" said John, using a deictic gesture to point at the location.
  2. The deictic word "this" refers to something close to the speaker.
  3. In the sentence "I want that," the word "that" is a deictic pronoun.
  4. She used deictic expressions like "over there" to indicate a distant location.
  5. The deictic phrase "next week" points to a specific time in the future.
  6. When the teacher said "here is your assignment," the word "here" is deictic.
  7. The deictic adverb "now" indicates the current moment in time.
  8. Using deictic language such as "yesterday" helps to specify when an event occurred.
  9. The deictic phrase "in this room" specifies a particular location.
  10. By saying "those are mine," she used deictic language to indicate possession.


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  • Updated 15/06/2024 - 18:37:37