lindexicalité

Lindexicalité is a term originating from linguistics, particularly in the study of pragmatics and philosophy of language. It refers to the property of certain linguistic expressions, known as indexicals, to have their meaning dependent on the context of their utterance. These expressions do not have a fixed, universal referent but instead pick out different entities or situations based on who is speaking, when they are speaking, where they are speaking, and so on.

Common examples of indexicals include pronouns like "I," "you," "he," "she," and "it," as well as demonstratives such as "this" and "that." Temporal indexicals include "now" and "yesterday," while spatial indexicals include "here" and "there." The meaning of a sentence containing an indexical expression can only be fully understood by knowing the specific circumstances of its use. For instance, the statement "I am here now" has a different meaning depending on the speaker, location, and time of utterance.

The study of lindexicalité explores how these context-dependent elements contribute to the overall meaning and interpretation of language. It highlights the dynamic and fluid nature of communication, where meaning is not solely derived from the dictionary definitions of words but also from the pragmatic factors that surround their use. Philosophers like Charles Sanders Peirce and Rudolf Carnap were early contributors to the theoretical understanding of indexicality.