
Ziff's Theory of Indexicality
Ziff’s Theory of Indexicality explores how certain words or expressions (like "I," "here," or "now") depend on context to convey meaning. These are called "indexicals" because their reference shifts depending on who is speaking, when, and where. For example, "I" refers to the speaker, and "here" refers to their location. Ziff argues that understanding language requires recognizing these contextual clues, as indexicals are not fixed words but meaning depends on their use in specific situations. This theory highlights the importance of context in interpreting language accurately.