Semantics

presentation
DEIXIS & DEFITENESS
BS-EN04
 MEMBER 1
EMAN WAHEED-027
 DEIXIS
• Deixis refers to the phenomenon where the interpretation
of certain words or phrases (such as pronouns,
demonstratives, and temporal adverbs) depends on the
context in which they are used. The meaning of deixis is
not inherent in the words themselves but is rather
determined by the situation or the speaker's and
listener's perspectives.
 Importance of deixis
• Contextual Precision: Deixis provides precise reference
points in language, specifying entities, times, and places
relative to the speaker's context
• Indexicality: Deictic expressions like pronouns ("I," "you")
and adverbs ("here," "now") are indexical, pointing
directly to elements within the immediate context of
communication.
• Temporal and Spatial Orientation: Helps speakers orient
themselves in time ("now," "then") and space ("here,"
"there"), crucial for conveying when and where events
occur.
• Pragmatic Function: Contributes to pragmatic aspects
of communication by managing discourse coherence,
anaphoric reference, and politeness strategies.
• Cross-cultural Understanding: Reflects cultural and
situational norms, influencing how language users
interpret and convey meaning in different cultural
contexts.
 Member 2
LARAIB TARIQ-016
 Types of Deixis
• Person deixis: Refers to pronouns like "I," "you," "he,"
"she," etc., which depend on who is speaking, who is
being addressed, and who is being referred to.
• Spatial deixis: Involves words like "here," "there," "this,"
"that," etc., which rely on the spatial location relative to
the speaker and listener.
• Temporal deixis: Includes words like "now," "then,"
"today," "tomorrow," etc., which are interpreted based on
the time of the utterance.
 Effects of deixis
• Spatial Orientation: Deictic expressions like "here,"
"there," "this," and "that" depend on the physical
location of the speaker and listener. They help in
specifying objects or locations in the immediate
environment, aiding in spatial understanding and
reference.
• Temporal Orientation: Words such as "now," "then,"
"today," and "tomorrow" provide temporal orientation,
indicating when events occur relative to the time of
speaking. This helps in sequencing events and
understanding temporal relationships in discourse.
• Personal Reference: Pronouns such as "I," "you," "he," and
"she" rely on the identities of the speaker, listener, and others
mentioned in conversation. Deixis allows speakers to refer to
themselves, the listener, or third parties, facilitating personal
interaction and narrative coherence.
• Anaphoric Reference: Deixis supports anaphoric
reference, where subsequent references in discourse (e.g.,
"this," "that") depend on earlier established deixis. This
cohesion aids in maintaining continuity and clarity in
communication.
• Pragmatic Implications: Deixis carries pragmatic functions,
such as politeness strategies and speaker roles. For example, using
"you" or titles like "Sir" or "Madam" can convey respect or formality,
influencing social dynamics in communication.
 Member 3:
FAJAR NABEEL-012
 Definiteness

• Definiteness refers to whether a noun phrase refers to a

specific entity that is identifiable to the listener (definite)
or not (indefinite). In English, definiteness is often
marked by the presence or absence of the definite article
"the.“
 Types of Definiteness
• Definite deixis
• Indefinite deixis
• Definite Deixis:
Refers to a specific entity that is known to the listener or
identifiable within the context.
Example: "The book on the table" refers to a particular book
that both the speaker and listener are aware of or can
identify.
• Indefinite Deixis:
Refers to a non-specific or generic entity that is not
uniquely identifiable within the context.
•Example: "A book is on the table" refers to any book, not
a specific one.
•Marked by: Often marked by the indefinite articles "a" or
"an" in English.
These types of definiteness help speakers convey whether
they are referring to something specific and identifiable
("the") or something more general or unknown ("a/an").
Definiteness plays a crucial role in language by
specifying the level of specificity in noun phrases,
thereby influencing how information is conveyed and
understood in discourse.
 MEMBER 4:
SEHAR ZAHID-001
 COMPARISON
DEIXIS DEFINITENESS
• NATURE: • NATURE:
Involves words whose Concerns whether a noun phrase
interpretation depends on the refers to a specific entity or not
context of the utterance (e.g., (e.g., "the book" vs. "a book").
"here," "there," "now," "then").

Context Dependency:
Context Dependency:
Specifies whether a noun phrase
Relies on the immediate context refers to a known or
of the speech act for identifiable entity within a
interpretation (e.g., "here" broader context.
depends on the location of the
speaker).
• Function: • Function:
Facilitates precise reference to Specifies whether a noun
entities, times, and locations phrase refers to a particular
relative to the speaker's entity (definite) or any member
context, aiding in spatial and of a class (indefinite),
temporal orientation. influencing specificity and
clarity in communication.
• Anaphoric Use:
Often used anaphorically to refer Anaphoric Use:
back to previously mentioned Establishes whether a noun
entities or times (e.g., "this," phrase refers to something
"that"). already known or introduced in
discourse (definite) or
introduces a new entity
(indefinite).
 Conclusion
In summary, deixis and definiteness both play
fundamental roles in shaping the meaning and
clarity of language. Deixis focuses on context-
dependent reference, while definiteness
specifies the level of specificity in noun phrases,
each contributing distinctively to the precision
and coherence of communication.