Semantics: Deictic Expressions 1.1

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Deixis refers to words and phrases that cannot be fully understood without additional contextual information. Words/phrases are 'deictic' if their semantic meaning is fixed but their denotational meaning varies depending on time and/or place, etc. These questions will help you locate deictic expressions.

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Question 1

Select the underlined word which is a deixis. If there is no deictic expression in the sentence, select N/A. A picture of Abraham Lincoln is on every 5 dollar bill. The word 'picture' refers to a definite article. The name 'Abraham Lincoln' always refers to the same person. 'Every' is not a deictic expression because it means 'all.'

A	Abraham Lincoln Hint: The name 'Abraham Lincoln' always refers to the same person, and is thus not deictic.
B	picture Hint: The word 'picture' refers to a definite article, and thus cannot be a deictic expression.
C	N/A
D	every Hint: Though many adjectives have referents, some do not. 'Every' is a modifier that cannot possibly have an identifiable referent, thus it is neither anaphoric nor deictic.

Question 1 Explanation:

Though many adjectives have referents, some do not. 'Every' is a modifier that cannot possibly have an identifiable referent, thus it is neither anaphoric nor deictic.

Question 2

Select the underlined word which is a deixis. If there is no deictic expression in the sentence, select N/A. Smart people think for themselves. 'Smart' is an adjective and not a deictic expression. 'Thinkers' refers to a group of people in general who do not need a context in order to have meaning. 'Themselves' is a bound pronoun which derives its meaning from the antecedent 'smart thinkers' which is in the sentence.

A	smart Hint: Though some adjectives have referents (e.g. 'blue'), 'smart' is an adjective that lacks a referent. Thus it is neither anaphoric nor deictic.
B	themselves
C	people Hint: Mass nouns may seem deictic, but in fact they are not because they have referents, however vague they may seem.
D	N/A

Question 2 Explanation:

'Themselves' is a bound pronoun which derives its meaning from the antecedent 'smart thinkers' which is in the sentence.

Question 3

Select the underlined word which is a deixis. If there is no deictic expression in the sentence, select N/A. The perfect opportunity to invest in gold is now. Opportunity refers to an abstract idea whose meaning does not change with context. Gold refers to specific entity whose meaning does not change with context. The meaning of now is dependent on the date and time at which the speaker is speaking.

A	opportunity Hint: 'Opportunity' refers to an abstract idea whose meaning does not change with context, thus it is not deictic.
B	N/A Hint: Try again!
C	now
D	gold Hint: 'Gold' refers to specific entity whose meaning does not change with context, thus it is not deictic.

Question 3 Explanation:

The meaning of 'now' is dependent on the date and time at which the speaker is speaking, thus it is a deictic expression.

Question 4

Select the underlined word which is a deixis. If there is no deictic expression in the sentence, select N/A. I bought green bananas.

A	bananas Hint: 'Bananas' is not deictic because it always refers to the same thing regardless of context.
B	I
C	green Hint: 'Green' is not deictic because it always refers to the color green regardless of context.
D	N/A

Question 4 Explanation:

The color green is always green regardless of context. Bananas are always bananas regardless of context. I can only be interpreted if the listener knows who is speaking.

Question 5

Select the underlined word which is a deixis. If there is no deictic expression in the sentence, select N/A. Margaret Thatcher gave the Crown Jewels to her favorite charity down the street.

A	favorite charity Hint: Though we do not know which charity is the favorite, the expression itself is still referential because we know that it is Margaret Thatcher's favorite. It is not deictic.
B	N/A
C	the street
D	the Crown Jewels Hint: The meaning of the phrase the Crown Jewels does not depend on context, thus it is not a deictic expression.

Question 5 Explanation:

It is unknown which 'street' is being referred to.

Question 6

Select the underlined word which is a deixis. If there is no deictic expression in the sentence, select N/A. The cat slept next to the dog.

A	slept Hint: 'Slept' is a verb and cannot have a referent.
B	cat Hint: 'Next to' can only be defined on the basis of where the dog is. This information is not known.
C	N/A
D	next to Hint: 'Next to' can only be defined on the basis of where the dog is. This information is not known.

Question 7

Select the underlined word which is a deixis. If there is no deictic expression in the sentence, select N/A. Batman was a very popular hero last year. Incorrect. Batman always refers to the same entity regardless of context. Very is an adverb and cannot be a deictic expression. Last year can only be understood by knowing the present year.

A	N/A
B	very Hint: 'Very' is an adverb. Adverbs cannot be deictic expressions.
C	Batman Hint: Batman is not deictic because it always refers to the same entity regardless of context.
D	last year

Question 7 Explanation:

'Batman' always refers to the same entity regardless of context. 'Very' is an adverb and cannot be a deictic expression. 'Last year' can only be understood by knowing the present year, thus it is deictic.

Question 8

Select the underlined word which is a deixis. If there is no deictic expression in the sentence, select N/A. This morning Aunt Harriet knocked at the door at 6 am.

A	this morning
B	N/A Hint: Try again!
C	6 am Hint: '6 am' is not diectic because it refers to a time that is constant (6 am will always be 6 am).
D	Aunt Harriet Hint: 'Aunt Harriet' is not deictic because it refers to a person who exists regardless of context.

Question 8 Explanation:

'This morning' is deictic because it is defined by the date, which is not known. Aunt Harriet refers to a person who exists regardless of context, and 6 am is always the same time.

Question 9

Select the underlined word which is a deixis. If there is no deictic expression in the sentence, select N/A. Jack and Jill have decided to see “The Alien” tomorrow night. Jack and Jill refer to two people who exist in the world. "The Alien" is a movie whose meaning is not dependent on context. Tomorrow is the only word which cannot be defined without a reference to a date.

A	N/A Hint: Try again!
B	Jack and Jill Hint: 'Jack and Jill' are not deictic because these names refer to two people who exist in the world.
C	tomorrow
D	"The Alien" Hint: "The Alien" is not deictic because it refers to a movie whose meaning is not dependent on context.

Question 9 Explanation:

Tomorrow is the only word which cannot be defined without a reference to a date.

Question 10

Select the underlined word which is a deixis. If there is no deictic expression in the sentence, select N/A. George Harrison died of cancer in 1998.

A	cancer Hint: 'Cancer' is not deictic because its meaning is not dependent on context.
B	George Harrison Hint: 'George Harrison' is not deictic because the name refers to a person who existed in the world.
C	1998 Hint: '1998' is not deictic because it is a specific year.
D	N/A

Question 10 Explanation:

George Harrison refers to a person who existed in the world. The meaning of cancer is not dependent on context. 1998 is a specific year. Thus there are no deictic words or phrases in this sentence.

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Semantics: Deictic Expressions 1.1

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