Glossary of Linguistic Terms

Deixis

Definition: 

Deixis is reference by means of an expression whose interpretation is relative to the (usually) extralinguistic context of the utterance, such as:

  • who is speaking
  • the time or place of speaking
  • the gestures of the speaker
  • the current location in the discourse
Examples: 

(English)

Here are examples of deictic expressions:

  • I
  • You
  • Now
  • There
  • That
  • The following
  • Tenses