Belirtim

Belirtim is a term used in Turkish linguistics to describe words and forms that point to or identify the referent of a term within discourse. It covers deictic expressions that signal relationships of space, time, or context relative to the speaker or listener. The word belirtim derives from belirtmek, meaning to indicate; belirtim denotes the act or category of indicating.

In practice, belirtim most often appears as demonstratives such as bu (this), şu (that near you), and o (that far). These forms can function as determiners when they appear before a noun (belirtilen sıfat), as in bu kitap (this book), şu ev (that house), or o araba (that car). When used independently, they can also function as pronouns (belirtme zamiri), as in Bu geldi? or Şu o kadar gösterdi. The exact classification may vary by grammar tradition, but many descriptions treat belirtim items as belonging to demonstratives either as demonstrative adjectives (belirtim sıfatı) or demonstrative pronouns (belirtme zamiri).

Functions and scope: belirtim serves deixis, indicating which entity is being referred to, and it conveys information about proximity, visibility, and audience perspective. This makes belirtim a key component of reference, definiteness, and discourse cohesion in Turkish.

See also: Turkish grammar, deixis, demonstratives, pronouns, determiners.