vague linguistic terms

Vague linguistic terms | Jake Kimball | September 29th, 2002

Hi everyone,

This one is for those of you who have linguistic superpowers. Or maybe those who've taken Grammar of Modern English.

Can anyone kindly clarify these terms or concisely describe how they're related:

1. anaphora

2. deixis

3. indexicality

Are they just synonyms or is there a much deeper functional and/or philosophical difference? I know them to be referring expressions but...

And what of Government and Binding Theory? Is there a relationship there?

My recent search has led to more questions than questions answered.

Thanks,

Jake, merely a mortal with severely limited linguistic superpowers

Vague linguistic terms | Colin Graham | September 30th, 2002

Hi Jake,

Since I'm on a roll just now, I'll have a stab....

For non-grammar CPs:

1. Anaphora
How my uncle say "enough of that" when he's drunk.   He's Glaswegian, if you can't work it out!

2. Deixis
Having a day which is way too long ["day excess" for the slower Pinkies!]

3. Indexicality
Being able to evacuate your nostrils using your index finger ["the one you use for pointing" for the less medically minded amongst you]

And now you can delete the message. On the other hand if you are seriously interested, i.e. doing GE (or maybe TDA)

Are they just synonyms

No

or is there a much deeper functional and/or philosophical difference?  

Yes, but it's not that deep (unless someone wants to disagree!!).

1.anaphora

Backward reference to a (usually) uniquely identifiable thing that has already been mentioned within the text. Other possibilities: cataphora = forward reference; and exophora = reference outside the text. Cataphora and anaphora are both kinds of endophora (reference inside).  

An anaphoric reference is only ever to one Thing, however many times it may have been mentioned. It may sometimes be ambiguous what the Thing being referred to is, however:

"He shot her father using his shotgun."

'He' is exophoric, 'her' is exophoric, 'his' could be exophoric to the same person as 'he' or exophoric to a different male or anaphoric to 'her father'

2. Deixis

Pointing out exactly what Thing is being referred to. The Deictic element is always at the start of the nominal group, if it is used. It shows whether or not some specific subset of the Thing is being spoken or written about. It can be specific (Proximity or Possession) or non-specific. For example, "this train", "my train" or "some trains". Halliday p 181-182 gives some examples. Deixis is not necessarily dependent on whether or not something has been or will be mentioned in the text. It is dependent on the context within which the Thing is mentioned though, I think.  

"He hit me on the head with his/the/that/this/a hammer"

3. Indexicality

Not something you need to worry about for systemic grammar- which is the only consideration for the GE module. If you're really interested I'll (try to) explain.... later (^_~)

And what of Government and Binding Theory?  

Wash your mouth out!   How dare you mention the "C" person in the same breath as God [Halliday/Firth/...] ;-)

(~_~)/
Colin
:-)

 

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