Spatial indexicalities and spatial pragmatics
-
Peter Auer
Abstract
This paper argues for a rapprochement between the two hitherto entirely separate linguistic research traditions that have as their topic the relationship of space and language. This is on the one hand research on spatial deixis, which focuses on how languages are equipped to deal with location and manoeuvring in space. On the other hand, there is research in areal linguistics which looks at the way in which variable linguistic features are distributed across geographical spaces. It is argued that at the heart of areal linguistics lies a deeply pragmatic procedure: that of locating speakers in space on the basis of their language, an issue that is of permanent concern for speakers as it is one basis of social categorisation. While spatial deixis serves to locate discourse objects by means of indexical linguistic signs (deixis), areal variation in language serves to locate speakers in space through another type of indexicality based on lay knowledge about where people speak how.
Abstract
This paper argues for a rapprochement between the two hitherto entirely separate linguistic research traditions that have as their topic the relationship of space and language. This is on the one hand research on spatial deixis, which focuses on how languages are equipped to deal with location and manoeuvring in space. On the other hand, there is research in areal linguistics which looks at the way in which variable linguistic features are distributed across geographical spaces. It is argued that at the heart of areal linguistics lies a deeply pragmatic procedure: that of locating speakers in space on the basis of their language, an issue that is of permanent concern for speakers as it is one basis of social categorisation. While spatial deixis serves to locate discourse objects by means of indexical linguistic signs (deixis), areal variation in language serves to locate speakers in space through another type of indexicality based on lay knowledge about where people speak how.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- On how to pragmaticize understanding 1
- Does the autonomy of linguistics rest on the autonomy of syntax? 15
- Classifying illocutionary acts, or, a tale of Theory and Praxis 39
- Spatial indexicalities and spatial pragmatics 53
- Pragmatics as a facilitator for child syntax development 77
- Pragmatics, linguistic competence, and Conversation Analysis 101
- Pragmatics and dialogue phenomena 113
- Roots of the wakimae aspect of linguistic politeness 121
- “Laura! Laura! Wake up” 139
- Knowledge, discourse and domination 151
- The public face of language 197
- The compleat angle on pragmatics 213
- Tabula Gratulatoria 219
- Index 229
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- On how to pragmaticize understanding 1
- Does the autonomy of linguistics rest on the autonomy of syntax? 15
- Classifying illocutionary acts, or, a tale of Theory and Praxis 39
- Spatial indexicalities and spatial pragmatics 53
- Pragmatics as a facilitator for child syntax development 77
- Pragmatics, linguistic competence, and Conversation Analysis 101
- Pragmatics and dialogue phenomena 113
- Roots of the wakimae aspect of linguistic politeness 121
- “Laura! Laura! Wake up” 139
- Knowledge, discourse and domination 151
- The public face of language 197
- The compleat angle on pragmatics 213
- Tabula Gratulatoria 219
- Index 229
