Discourse analysis of deictic expressions in Beckett's 'waiting for Godot'

الملخص EN

Deixis is a word which its reference always moves or changes depending on the context.

It has connection with certain words or sentences that change because of the context.

The change of context in a sentence is often caused by the change of situation including person, place and time.

The present study deals only with deixis appeared in Samuel Beckett's play 'Waiting for Godot".

It is a qualitative research where the researcher applies three stages: first, reading the script; second, collecting the data from the utterances found in the script; third, counting the frequency of all types of deixis and stating their function.

The form of the utterance is identified using the theory of deixis in discourse analysis since it is always influenced by factors as the speakers, listeners, the context and situation.

Since absurd theatre deals with meaningless ideas, then it is hypothesized that there are lots of deictic expressions used in the play to emphasize the theme of the play which is the absurdity of life and imagine themselves in such situations whenever and wherever he sees the play.

In sum, the frequent use of deixis makes the play timeless.

The present paper aims at proving that the use of deixis is a prominent feature in 'Waiting for Godot' and eventually for a prominent feature in absurd theatre (a question which needs more research).

This is achieved through: first; Specifying the frequency of deictic expressions used in 'waiting for Godot'.

Second; stating their types and functions in the play.

The present paper also has specific significances which are summarized as follows: 1) 'Waiting for Godot' is one of the eminent examples of absurd theatre in which deixis appears to be one of the main feature of its language.

This has not been referred to before in academic research so far.

2) Academic significance: The present paper can be used by other researchers to conduct other studies on deixis in absurd plays to check whether deixis is a prominent feature in absurd theatre or not.

-3) Teachers as well as students of English language will recognize the importance and the use of deixis which give the text special meaning and shift the word's references.