proximais

Proximais is a term used in linguistics to describe a class of demonstratives that indicate proximity to the deictic center, typically the speaker or the current topic of discussion. In Portuguese grammar, proximais refer to demonstratives such as este, esta, estes, estas, which function as adjectives or pronouns to point to entities near the speaker or within the immediate discourse context. They are contrasted with intermediários (esse, essa, esses, essas) and distais (aquele, aquela, aqueles, aquelas), which signal greater distance.

As forms that modify nouns, proximais agree in gender and number (este livro, esta casa, estes livros, estas casas). When used as pronouns, they stand in for nouns (este é meu; estas são minhas). Proximais can also appear in emphatic or deictic constructions, as in este aqui or esta aqui, to emphasize closer proximity or focus.

In function, proximais serve as deictic expressions that anchor reference in space, time, or discourse. They help locate objects relative to the speaker or to the current point of discussion and often participate in sequencing references within a discourse. While nearly universal in languages with a deictic system, the exact inventory and morphology of proximal demonstratives vary across language families and dialects.

See also: demonstratives, deixis, deictic spatial relations.