Definition
A deictic center is a reference point in relation to which a deictic expression is to be interpreted.
Discussion
The deictic center is most typically the present time, location, participant role, and so forth of the speaker.
Examples
(English)
- In the following example, the speaker, the actual location and the actual time of the utterance are, respectively, the deictic centers for the interpretation of I, here, and now:
- I’m over here now.
Sources 1
- Denny 1978, 73