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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Linguistics Studies

Is the word "where" deictic?

Can the word "where" be deictic, as in the following sentence that I've made up:

"The snow looks particularly deep way off yonder where the abandoned cabin sits."

In this sentence, I would consider "where" a subordinating conjunction, but can I also describe its function as deictic (of the spatial variety)?
  

Top answer

Hmm. I don't think so. It seems to me that 'yonder' is your deictic adverb and that the 'where' clause merely modifies 'yonder'.

— Mister Micawber

  • Hmm.
  • I don't think so.
  • It seems to me that 'yonder' is your deictic adverb and that the 'where' clause merely modifies 'yonder'.
  • ) extends.
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3 Answers
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Hmm. I don't think so. It seems to me that 'yonder' is your deictic adverb and that the 'where' clause merely modifies 'yonder'. But I'm not really sure how far into the grammar 'deicticism' (if that's a word!) extends.
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Mister Micawber'deicticism' (if that's a word!)
You're looking for 'deixis'. Emotion: smile

And I
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You're looking for 'deixis'. - Aha! I've added it to my glossary, thanks.
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