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Molly
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 4017
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 #3 (permalink) Mon Jun 23, 2008 22:12 pm Deictic expressions |
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| Tom wrote: |
Hi
I tried to understand the meaning of deictic expressions through the internet sources but could not. Could you please explain to me what deictic expressions are?
Regards,
Tom |
Hello Tom,
Deictic expressions relate the content of an utterance to the speaker, the addressee, and the time and place of utterance.
Thus if I say to you:
1. Come over here and look at this!
"here" refers to where I am as I speak, "come" refers to a direction that depends on where "here" is, and "this" refers to e.g. something I am pointing at. They are therefore deictic.
Cf.
2. Yesterday he gave me a gold watch.
Here, the meaning of "yesterday" depends on the time of speaking, and "me" depends on the identity of the speaker. Moreover, "gave" is also a deictic element, as it locates the act in relation to the time of speaking. "A gold watch" however isn't. (Gold watches are gold watches.)
Best wishes,
MrP |
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MrPedantic
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 1326
Location: Southern England
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| #4 (permalink) Mon Jun 23, 2008 22:26 pm Deictic expressions |
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| Quote: |
| and "this" refers to e.g. something I am pointing at. |
Though pointing is not always the case. |
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Molly
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 4017
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| #5 (permalink) Mon Jun 23, 2008 22:30 pm Deictic expressions |
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| Molly wrote: |
| Quote: |
| and "this" refers to e.g. something I am pointing at. |
Though pointing is not always the case. |
Indeed. (Hence the "e.g.".)
MrP |
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MrPedantic
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 1326
Location: Southern England
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| #6 (permalink) Tue Jun 24, 2008 7:34 am Deictic expressions |
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| MrPedantic wrote: |
| Molly wrote: |
| Quote: |
| and "this" refers to e.g. something I am pointing at. |
Though pointing is not always the case. |
Indeed. (Hence the "e.g.".)
MrP |
I saw it. I was just wondering how many students would guess the other e.g.s. |
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Molly
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 4017
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| Expression: "Hey, look at that building..." | Gerund (Smoking has been banned in Asian Countries.) |
Tom