Deixis

[Alan Patterson]

I ran across this definition of Deixis by a non-scholar; there seems to be a common mistake in defining Deixis, and I think the quote below captures this offense.

Specifically, deixis represents the speech event itself: deictic expressions reference the speaker, the speaker’s utterances, the speaker’s location, and the time at which the speech event occurs. There are different types of deictic expressions that refer to each particular aspect. [http://sitr.us/2007/09/17/deixis.html]

What is your definition of Deixis (not deictic expressions)? Does Deixis have to be used with reference to some temporal "speech event"? If not, where else can the deixis be located/positioned in which the speech/writing event is not the reference point related to the deixis?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Stephen Carlson]

Rather than opening a fishing expedition, how about saying what you think the "common mistake" is?

[Alan Patterson]

Well, it's a moot point now; there doesn't appear to be much interest to this post. The Deictic problem was:

Specifically, deixis represents the speech event itself: deictic expressions reference the speaker, the speaker’s utterances, the speaker’s location, and the time at which the speech event occurs

The Deixis need not reference some speech event. It often is, but it is not to be assumed. This problem has lead to problems with temporal reference, the HP, and other collateral issue such as tense/aspect

The HP for example should find the Deictic Center within the sentence or paragraph in which it is located, not in relation to the speaker/writer. The Deictic Center is fluid, it is likely to change once you get a verse or 3 away.

I thought it would be a good topic for discussion, especially seeing how others define Deictic Centers.

Maybe there will be some interest after the election )