Pointing Signal
Are we pointing to this, that, here, or there?
Signification
A signal that locates something relative to speaker, listener, place, time, discourse, or attention.
Comment le repérer
Look for this/that/here/there/now/then type pointing words.
Exemples
this|that|these|those|here|there|now|then
this book|that one|over here|at that time
This is my favorite place.
Visual guide
Pointing from here/now speaker center: here, now near speaker: this away: that, there other time: then Use: this book, over here
Comparison shape 2-way: this = near that = away 3-way: near speaker near listener far from both Also: here/there, now/then
Vue par langue
Dans votre langue maternelle
Pointers use ce/cet/cette/ces, ceci/cela/ça, ici, là, and discourse reference.
C’est mon endroit préféré.
This is my favorite place.
Dans votre langue d’apprentissage
L’anglais utilise this/that, here/there, now/then et des mots proches pour situer quelque chose depuis le point de vue du locuteur.
This is my seat, and that is yours.
this/that = signal de pointage
Les apprenants confondent parfois this/that ou here/there, surtout quand il s’agit de distance, de temps ou de référence dans le discours.
Same block, different coding
Both languages use this block strongly, but they signal it differently. Focus on form changes, not only meaning.