JoAL
JOURNAL OF APPLIED LINGUISTICS
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Journal of Applied https://journal.
org/index.
php/joal/index Linguistics Deixis Found in King Charles i's Speech from the Throne .
Arya Hardi Winata1*.
Khairil Akbar2.
Leo Anggara3.
Muhammad Daffa Aqilah4 1,2,3,4Faculty of Cultural Sciences.
Universitas Sumatera Utara.
Indonesia Correspondence Email: aryahardi@students.
ARTICLE INFO
Article History:
Received : November 25, 2025 Reviewed : December 3, 2025 Revised : December 10, 2025 Accepted : December 20, 2025 Available online : December 26.
Keywords:
Deixis.
Political discourse.
King Charles i's Speech.
National identity Abstract This study examines the use of deixis in King Charles i's Speech from the Throne .
by applying YuleAos .
framework, which categorizes deixis into person, spatial, and temporal types.
Using a qualitative descriptive approach, the analysis focuses on the official transcript published on the Government of CanadaAos website.
The data were categorized and analyzed to determine the frequency and purpose of each deictic category within the speech.
A total of 127 deictic expressions were found, consisting of 66 person deixis .
97%), 55
spatial deixis .
31%), and 6 temporal deixis .
72%).
Person deixis, particularly pronouns such as I, we, our, and you, is the most dominant and serves to build solidarity and shared identity between the King and his audience.
Spatial deixis, including here, there, this, and that, reinforces unity by referring to physical and symbolic aspects of the Although temporal deixis appears infrequently, it connects the present moment with CanadaAos historical continuity and future Overall, deixis functions as a strategic linguistic tool that strengthens authority, unity, and national identity in royal political INTRODUCTION Pragmatics, the study of meaning in relation to context, represents one of the most significant domains within linguistics.
The primary focus of pragmatics is on the meaning conveyed by speakers and the manner in which audiences interpret meaning from non-literal expressions (Junaidi, 2.
For instance, it is more appropriate to interpret the phrase "Could you open the door?" as a respectful request rather than a question regarding one's ability.
As a result, pragmatic interpretation depends on communication aim, situational knowledge, and shared context.
Deixis, a fundamental component in pragmatics, describes verbal utterances whose meaning is contingent on contextual elements including the person who speaks, time, and place.
Deixis is divided into three primary categories: person .
I, you, w.
, temporal .
, today, tomorrow, yesterda.
, and spatial .
, here, ther.
(Yule, 1.
The meanings of the words we, here, and tomorrow in the statement "We will gather here tomorrow," for example, vary depending on the speaker, the context, and the time of reference.
Published by English Lecturers and Teachers Association (ELTA) Copyright A 2026, authors DOI: 10.
52622/joal.
Journal of Applied Linguistics (JoAL).
Vol.
5 No.
January 2026.
e-ISSN 2809-1922, p-ISSN 2809-1914 Other scholars support this view by emphasizing that deictic expressions shift their reference depending on situational context.
Levinson .
3, as cited in Viahapsari & Parmawati, 2.
explains that deixis functions to indicate the speaker, the location, and the time relevant to the utterance.
Similarly.
Fatimah .
notes that deixis reflects how contextual elements become grammatically encoded in language, meaning that understanding an utterance always requires attention to its surrounding circumstances.
Since demonstratives and pronouns serve to link with their surrounding context and direct the listener's attention, deixis is more generally linked to indexicality and reference management in discourse (Saffah C Al-Hindawi, 2021.
Rahmawati et al.
, 2.
Demonstratives are the most common form used to anchor clauses to their contextual environment and focus the attention of the interlocutor on a particular referent.
It is also acknowledged as a communicative strategy that is widely used across languages (Cornish.
Diessel, 1999.
Talmy, 2018.
Todisco et al.
, 2.
Deictic Shift Theory (DST) examines changes in the cognitive viewpoint or origo within speech and shows that deixis is a crucial aspect of perception and comprehension from a cognitive standpoint (Stockwell, 2002.
McIntyre, 2006.
Hai, 2.
The function and role of deixis in diverse conversation contexts have been studied in the past.
Deixis in English Islamic Friday sermons was examined and deictic expressions were found to be practical ways to draw attention, foster emotional closeness, and organize the information flow in religious discourse (Alkhawaldeh, 2.
Similarly, multimodality in proximal deixis in English for technical presentations emphasized its function in interactive meaning-making (Antoni C Puspita, 2.
Deixis is intrinsically linked to the utterance context, encompassing the actors, the temporal-spatial localization of events, and elements of the speech act (Mahmudova, 2.
Furthermore, deixis is interpreted in light of extralinguistic and meta-linguistic settings and projects the speaker's reference to an intended object or event (Todisco et al.
, 2.
However, the political aspect of deixis has received little attention because the majority of these research have been limited to religious, educational, or stylistic and cognitive contexts (Alkhawaldeh, 2022.
Hai, 2.
Deixis is crucial to political discourse as it influences identity, enhances solidarity, and directs ideological interpretation (Fathurohman.
Hidayati.
C Chusna.
Moreover, the majority of research conducted on deixis in political communication has focused on contemporary political actors within Asian and Middle Eastern contexts (Rahman C Ridwan, 2021.
Nugroho, 2.
There remain limited studies on royal discourse, particularly within the framework of the contemporary British monarchy.
This is important because royal speeches, such as the King's Speech from the Throne, are symbolic performances that are supposed to bring people together and reaffirm the monarch's role as a national leader, as well as being a way for the monarch to communicate politically (Herrick, 2.
Deixis is a significant linguistic phenomenon that is present in both informal and formal In ceremonial political addresses, deictic elements, including personal pronouns .
I, we, yo.
, demonstratives .
, this, that, here, ther.
, and temporal signs .
, today, this year, since the Second World Wa.
, function not only as rhetorical instruments but also as referential devices.
For instance, in King Charles i's Speech from the Throne .
, these forms seem to be strategically employed to position governmental initiatives within specific temporal frameworks, assert historical continuity, and construct national solidarity.
As a result, deixis connects utterances to specific social, spatial, and temporal contexts and influences the public's interpretation of the official message conveyed during a state ceremony.
Despite the fact that deixis has been the subject of previous study in a variety of political and public discourses, there is a lack of studies that specifically examine deixis in contemporary royal These studies often prioritize descriptive counts over in-depth pragmatic or ideological A more comprehensive analysis is required to clarify the ways in which deictic Published by English Lecturers and Teachers Association (ELTA) Copyright A 2026, authors Journal of Applied Linguistics (JoAL).
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January 2026.
e-ISSN 2809-1922, p-ISSN 2809-1914 strategies contribute to symbolic legitimacy and social cohesion, given the multiple purposes of state addresses ceremonial display combined with political communication.
Therefore, this study examines the distribution and pragmatic functions of person, spatial, and temporal deixis in Speech from the Throne King Charles i .
The objective is to enhance theoretical accounts in pragmatics and discourse analysis and to provide insights into the linguistic mechanisms by which official rhetoric constructs authority and collective identity.
Several prior studies have investigated the application of deixis in significant political and public statements.
Research on American political discourse has shown consistent patterns:
Ricca .
identified person deixis as the dominant type in Joe BidenAos victory speech, while Mahasuari.
Widiastuti, and Indrawati .
demonstrated that Biden employed deixis strategically to reinforce unity through inclusive pronouns.
Similarly.
Hidayah and Saraswati .
analyzed Donald TrumpAos State of the Union address and documented five categories of deixis, although their work remained largely descriptive.
Additional studies have broadened the scope of analysis, such as Nouval et al.
, who integrated deixis with semiotic interpretation in Barack ObamaAos farewell speech to reveal the symbolic significance of deictic choices, and Manalu .
, who applied LevinsonAos framework to Taylor SwiftAos commencement address, showing how person, spatial, and temporal deixis contribute to coherence and emotional resonance even in non-political contexts.
Research in Indonesian and global political settings shows similar findings.
Rizqi .
observed that person, spatial, and temporal deixis were most prominent in President Joko WidodoAos G20 speech, while Dwitama .
revealed that Kamala HarrisAos acceptance speech used deixis as a persuasive tool to build solidarity with her audience.
Jupriaman et al.
also highlighted the strategic deployment of deictic expressions in President Prabowo SubiantoAos inaugural address to articulate national unity and political direction.
Collectively, these studies confirm the central role of deixis in constructing identity and fostering unity in public communication.
However, many of them share methodological limitations, including a narrow focus on single speech events, an emphasis on descriptive classification rather than functional interpretation, and limited attention to audience perspective or ideological These gaps indicate the need for more comprehensive, contextually grounded research to deepen the pragmatic understanding of deixis in political discourse.
Therefore, this study seeks to address the existing research gap by analyzing the forms and pragmatic functions of deixis in King Charles iAos Speech from the Throne .
The speech, which embodies elements of authority, tradition, and unity, serves as a rich site for examining how language operates as both a political and symbolic tool.
By employing YuleAos .
framework of person, spatial, and temporal deixis, this research aims to identify the types of deixis used, determine which forms are most and least frequent, and explain their practical communicative purposes within the context of royal and political discourse.
This study is significant because it demonstrates the employment of linguistic devices like deixis in one of the most esteemed political-ceremonial settings in the United Kingdom.
By demonstrating how language is strategically used to establish authority, uphold tradition, and engage with both domestic and foreign audiences, the findings are anticipated to enhance the disciplines of pragmatics, discourse analysis, and political linguistics (Pratama, 2.
The implications of the research extend beyond understanding how deixis affects public opinion and communication effectiveness in various contexts.
Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of using deixis to convey a sense of immediacy and relevance, particularly in political communication when audience engagement is crucial.
This research is limited to the analysis of person, spatial, and temporal deixis based on YuleAos .
framework, focusing on the official transcript of King Charles iAos Speech from the Throne 2025.
Published by English Lecturers and Teachers Association (ELTA) Copyright A 2026, authors Journal of Applied Linguistics (JoAL).
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e-ISSN 2809-1922, p-ISSN 2809-1914
METHOD
This study uses a descriptive qualitative approach to examine deixis in King Charles iAos 2025 Speech from the Throne, as qualitative research emphasizes interpreting language within its natural context (Creswell, 2.
The data consist of the official transcript published on the Government of CanadaAos website, verified against the video recording for accuracy.
Data were collected through documentation and close reading, during which all deictic expressions were identified and classified into person, spatial, and temporal categories following YuleAos .
This method allows the study to analyze how these forms function pragmatically within the political-ceremonial context of the speech.
Furthermore, the analysis followed Miles and HubermanAos .
qualitative model.
First, data reduction involved selecting and coding the relevant deictic expressions.
Second, the coded data were displayed in organized tables to identify patterns and frequencies.
Finally, conclusions were drawn by interpreting the pragmatic functions of each deixis type, revealing how they contribute to the rhetorical, symbolic, and social aims of the speech.
Through this process, the study seeks to explain the communicative functions of deixis and determine which types appear most and least frequently in the speech.
FINDINGS
A total of 125 utterances were identified in King Charles iAos Speech from the Throne .
The deictic expressions contained within these utterances will be analyzed and classified into person, spatial, and temporal deixis, following the framework proposed by Yule .
The difference between the number of utterances and the number of deictic items occurs because some utterances contain more than one deictic expression, meaning that the total count of deictic forms can exceed the number of utterances in which they appear.
Table 1.
Deixis categories in King Charles iAos Speech from the Throne .
Types of Deixis Person Spatial Temporal Examples Amount You Your Myself Their Our She Her Them Themselves Here There This That Today Frequency/ Percentage Pragmatic Function Builds solidarity.
,97%) authority.
creates interpersonal balances individual & institutional roles.
Creates shared space.
,31%) national unity.
links space with 6 .
,72%) Published by English Lecturers and Teachers Association (ELTA) Copyright A 2026, authors Journal of Applied Linguistics (JoAL).
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e-ISSN 2809-1922, p-ISSN 2809-1914 Before Total Situates time.
connects pastAe presentAefuture.
frames issues 127 .
%) The analysis of deixis in King Charles i's Speech from the Throne .
identified a total of 127 deictic expressions, which were categorized into three primary types: person, spatial, and temporal deixis.
Person deixis was the most frequently used term, accounting for 66 occurrences or 51.
97% of the total, as demonstrated in the data.
Temporal deixis was the least frequent, occurring only six times, representing 4.
72%, while spatial deixis accomplished with 55 occurrences or 43.
These results indicate the speech is primarily focused on relational communication and interpersonal reference between the speaker and the audience, which is a common characteristic of political and ceremonial discourse.
The speech is dominated by person deixis, which accounts for over half of all deictic references .
97%).
The King's attempt to create a sense of solidarity and shared identity with the audience is evidenced by the frequent use of personal pronouns, including I, we, you, and For example, the King's statement "I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg people" demonstrates his intention to engage both himself and his audience in a collective act of respect.
Similarly, the statement.
Similarly.
AuWe owe it to this generation, and those who succeed us, to think and act for the greater good of allAy emphasizes the importance of collective responsibility and unity.
The speech's interpersonal function is indicated by the high frequency of person deixis, which is intended to bolster national cohesion and convey the monarch's moral alignment and empathy with Canadians.
The dominance of person deixis can also be explained by its rhetorical function in political communication.
As the speaker represents both an individual authority and a symbolic institution, the pronouns I and we serve distinct pragmatic purposes: I emphasizes personal sincerity and moral stance, while we functions inclusively, symbolizing unity between the monarchy, government, and citizens.
Through this dual use, the King balances personal voice and institutional representation, thereby humanizing his authority while reinforcing national This strategy aligns with the traditional function of royal discourse, which seeks to embody both leadership and collective identity.
The second most frequent occurrence is spatial deixis, with 55 occurrences .
31%).
Common spatial deictic expressions, including "here," "there," "this country," and "across the nation," were employed to denote both physical and symbolic spaces.
For instance, the phrase "We witness Canadians coming together in a renewed sense of national pride, unity, and hope here today" establishes an immediate spatial context and places the speech within a shared ceremonial environment.
Similarly, the spatial frame is expanded to encompass the totality of Canada by using the phrase "across the length and breadth of this vast and great nation," which emphasizes unity through geographical inclusivity.
Consequently, spatial deixis not only identifies the event but also symbolically unites the people and the territory with a shared Temporal deixis was the least common, with only six occurrences .
72%).
The speech is contextualized within historical and contemporary contexts by the use of expressions such as today, this year, and since the Second World War, which denote specific periods in time.
For example, the statement "This year, we celebrate the 80th anniversary of V-E Day and V-J Day" establishes a connection between the present moment and a collective national memory of triumph and sacrifice.
Similarly, the statement "Today.
Canada faces another critical moment" Published by English Lecturers and Teachers Association (ELTA) Copyright A 2026, authors Journal of Applied Linguistics (JoAL).
Vol.
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January 2026.
e-ISSN 2809-1922, p-ISSN 2809-1914 conveys a sense of urgency and temporal relevance, encouraging contemplation of current Temporal deixis, despite its rarity, is crucial in establishing the speech within the evolving historical narrative of Canada and accentuating the continuity between the past, present, and future.
Overall, the distribution of deictic expressions is indicative of the communicative objectives of a royal-political discourse, which are to inspire, legitimize, and unite.
The interpersonal nature of the address is underscored by the dominance of person deixis, which cultivates a sense of shared affinity between the monarch and citizens.
Temporal deixis situates the discourse within an ongoing historical continuum, while spatial deixis reinforces territorial and national unity.
Collectively, these deictic forms serve to convey inclusiveness, empathy, and authority through pragmatic means.
The data imply that deixis in King Charles i's Speech from the Throne is a potent linguistic strategy for reinforcing the symbolic relationship between the Crown and the people and constructing national identity.
Person Deixis Person Deixis is the term used to describe words that indicate a particular individual or group of individuals, including I, you, we, they, he, she, it, them, myself, your, and our.
In King Charles iAos Speech from the Throne .
, a total of 66 person deictic expressions were The most frequent is AumyAy .
times or 18.
18%), followed by AuIAy .
times or 67%) and AuyouAy .
times or 15.
15%).
Other common deixis include AuweAy .
times or 64%) and AuyourAy .
times or 12.
12%), while less frequent ones such as AuourAy .
times or 09%).
AutheirAy .
times or 3.
03%).
AuherAy .
times or 3.
03%).
AuthemAy .
times or 3.
03%), and singular occurrences of Auus,Ay Aumyself,Ay Aushe,Ay and AuthemselvesAy .
ach 1 or 1.
52%) show a balanced yet strategic use of pronouns in the discourse.
King Charles i's use of first-person deixis like "I" and "my" shows that he wants to make his speech personal and direct.
By using these pronouns, he shows how he is both a person and the head of state, as well as how he feels about things.
The words "we," "our," and "your" also show a sense of solidarity and shared duty between the monarchy, the government, and the This mix of personal and inclusive deixis shows how King Charles builds his royal identity as both an authority figure and a caring person.
It shows how he balances his own point of view with his duties to the people and the country.
Data (P.
D/1.
"This is my 20th visit to Canada, spread over the course of more than half a century, and my first as Sovereign.
The word AumyAy in the sentence functions as a first-person singular possessive pronoun deixis that directly refers to King Charles i as the speaker.
Its repeated use highlights his personal involvement and emotional connection to the message he conveys.
The phrase Aumy 20th visit to CanadaAy reflects his enduring relationship and ongoing engagement with the nation throughout the years, underscoring both historical and personal ties with Canada.
In contrast, the phrase Aumy first as SovereignAy represents a new stage in his royal journey, marking his transition from prince to reigning monarch.
Through this deictic expression.
King Charles not only provides factual information about his visit but also establishes a personal and intimate tone that conveys pride and contemplation regarding his changing role.
It demonstrates his awareness of continuity, maintaining a connection between his previous responsibilities and his current position, while simultaneously revealing humility and sincerity as he commences his reign.
Therefore, the use of AumyAy fulfills a dual function by expressing personal experience and reinforcing his identity as a committed, seasoned, yet newly enthroned leader.
Published by English Lecturers and Teachers Association (ELTA) Copyright A 2026, authors Journal of Applied Linguistics (JoAL).
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e-ISSN 2809-1922, p-ISSN 2809-1914 Data (P.
D/1.
"I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg people.
The words "I" and "we" in the above passage are examples of first-person deixis.
The pronoun "I" is a first-person singular subject pronoun that refers to King Charles i as the By saying "I," he shows respect and recognition for the Indigenous community whose territory he is speaking from.
This shows that you are humble and eager to recognize the importance of history and culture.
Meanwhile, "we" is a first-person plural subject pronoun deixis that includes both the King and the audience .
he members of Parliament and citizen.
as people who are acknowledging something.
The King says, "We are gathered," which shows that he respects everyone and is responsible for them.
This puts him not above the audience but in the middle of them.
This inclusive deixis brings the speaker and the listeners together in a shared act of recognition, showing that recognizing Indigenous land is a moral choice for everyone, not just a formal pronouncement.
Data (P.
D/1.
"By removing these barriers that have held back our economy, we will unleash a new era of growth that will ensure we donAot just survive ongoing trade wars, but emerge from them stronger than ever.
In this statement, the word AuourAy functions as a first-person plural possessive deixis that refers to both the speaker.
King Charles i, and his audience, encompassing the Canadian government and its citizens.
The phrase Auour economyAy conveys a sense of collective ownership, implying that the nationAos prosperity and stability are the shared responsibility of all members of society rather than a single institution or authority.
Through the use of Auour,Ay the King reinforces national solidarity and a common interest in achieving economic progress.
This deictic choice carries strong rhetorical value, as it enables King Charles to associate himself closely with the people and Parliament, suggesting that their concerns and aspirations are mutually shared.
The inclusive pronouns AuourAy and AuweAy within the same sentence create a tone of cooperation, emphasizing that overcoming economic challenges requires unity, determination, and collective effort.
Instead of maintaining distance as a purely symbolic monarch, the King presents himself as an active participant in the national endeavor toward recovery and advancement.
Ultimately, the use of AuourAy in this context reflects a deliberate strategy of inclusive leadership, portraying economic growth as a shared pursuit that unites the monarchy and the nation in their commitment to building a stronger and more resilient future.
Spatial Deixis Spatial deixis are any expressions used to point a location, for example AuhereAy.
AuthereAy.
AuthisAy, and AuthatAy.
The concept of distance already mentioned is clearly relevant to spatial deixis, where the relative location of people and things is being indicated.
The total number of spatial/place deixis found in the speech is 55.
The dominant spatial deixis type that is used is AuthatAy .
King Charles tends to use AuthatAy as his most dominant spatial deixis because King Charles i often says AuthatAy because in spatial deixis, it shows distance between himself and the topic making his speech sound more formal and objective.
The other types of spatial deixis are here .
or 1,82%), there .
or 3,64%), this .
or 32,73%), and that .
or 61,82%).
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D/2.
AuBy doing this, the Government will attract the best talent in the world to build our economy, while sending a clear message to Canadians working abroad that there is no better time to come home.
Ay In the sentence, the word AuthereAy in Authat there is no better time to come homeAy acts as a form of spatial deixis referring to an abstract context rather than a physical place.
It points to the situation being talked about, suggesting that the current moment is the most suitable time for Canadians abroad to return home.
The deixis AuthereAy helps shape the listenerAos understanding of the sentence by directing attention toward the idea of opportunity and timing.
It gives the statement a sense of focus, showing that the government is emphasizing a specific situation as the right one for action.
The use of AuthereAy also creates a sense of conceptual space where the idea of returning home feels real and attainable.
It invites Canadians abroad to imagine themselves within that context, seeing their homecoming as part of a larger national effort.
Through this deixis, the sentence builds a persuasive tone, encouraging the audience to perceive the present as a defining moment for both personal and national growth.
The presence of AuthereAy strengthens the message by linking the governmentAos call for action to a vivid sense of time and possibility.
Data (S.
D/2.
AuThis mission-driven organization will act to accelerate the development of new affordable Ay In the sentence, the word AuthisAy in AuThis mission-driven organization will act to accelerate the development of new affordable housingAy functions as a spatial deixis that refers to a specific entity already introduced or understood in the context.
It does not point to a physical location, but rather identifies a particular organization that has been mentioned or implied earlier in the discourse.
The deixis AuthisAy narrows the focus of attention to a concrete and identifiable subject, showing that the organization in question has a distinct and known role in carrying out social goals.
Through the use of Authis,Ay the speaker creates a sense of immediacy and presence, making the organization feel closer and more relevant to the reader or listener.
The deixis also emphasizes the organizationAos importance in the ongoing effort to address social and economic issues, particularly in housing.
By using Authis,Ay the sentence conveys confidence and clarity, as if pointing directly to a reliable actor that is already part of a larger plan or initiative.
It creates a sense of proximity between the speaker and the referent, suggesting familiarity and trust.
Overall, the use of AuthisAy helps strengthen the message by anchoring the abstract idea of social responsibility to a specific, active, and recognizable organization.
Data (S.
D/2.
AuBuilding a united Canada The Government will always protect the rights and freedoms that the Charter guarantees for every Canadian.
Ay In the sentence, the word AuthatAy in Authat the Charter guarantees for every CanadianAy functions as a spatial deixis which directs attention toward a specific idea or clause within the It refers to the rights and freedoms mentioned as part of the Charter, anchoring them as concrete and identifiable elements within the nationAos constitutional framework.
The deixis AuthatAy serves to highlight the connection between the governmentAos promise to protect citizens Published by English Lecturers and Teachers Association (ELTA) Copyright A 2026, authors Journal of Applied Linguistics (JoAL).
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e-ISSN 2809-1922, p-ISSN 2809-1914 and the guarantees already established in the Charter.
It points to those guarantees as something definite and existing, giving the statement a sense of precision and authority.
The use of AuthatAy also reinforces the governmentAos commitment to legal and moral It draws the audienceAos focus to the Charter as a foundational space where citizensAo rights are recognized and safeguarded.
Through this deixis, the sentence expresses continuity between the act of uniting the nation and the constitutional protection of its people.
The word AuthatAy strengthens the message by linking ideals of unity and justice to a specific, tangible source of legitimacy, making the governmentAos promise both credible and grounded in national law.
Temporal Deixis Temporal deixis appears 6 times in King Charles iAos Speech from the Throne .
, making it the least frequent type of deixis.
The word AutodayAy occurs most often, with 4 instances .
67%), while AubeforeAy appears 2 times .
33%).
There are no occurrences of Authen,Ay Auyesterday,Ay Automorrow,Ay or Auafter.
Ay The repeated use of AutodayAy highlights the present moment and emphasizes the current significance of the speechAos message, reflecting the KingAos intent to connect his remarks with the immediate context of national affairs.
Meanwhile, the use of AubeforeAy refers to past experiences, adding a sense of continuity and reflection that links past commitments with present responsibilities.
Data (T.
D/3.
AuToday.
I see representatives from every part of Canada Ae from St.
JohnAos.
Newfoundland and Labrador, to Victoria.
British Columbia, and Arviat.
Nunavut.
Au In the sentence, the word AutodayAy in AuToday.
I see representatives from every part of CanadaAy functions as a temporal deixis that refers to the specific time when the statement is being made.
It situates the speech firmly in the present moment, marking the occasion as significant and worthy of attention.
The deixis AutodayAy highlights the immediacy of the event, showing that what is being observed is not a general truth or past reflection, but something happening at this very time.
It helps create a sense of presence and urgency, inviting the audience to share in the importance of the moment.
The use of AutodayAy also strengthens the emotional connection between the speaker and the listeners.
It turns the event into a shared experience, one that represents unity across the By choosing this temporal marker.
King Charles i frames the occasion as a living expression of national identity and inclusiveness.
The word AutodayAy thus transforms the speech from a mere observation into a celebration of togetherness, grounding the message of unity within the present and making it feel immediate, relevant, and real for everyone present.
Data (T.
D/3.
AuAs I have said before.
Every time I come to CanadaA a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream Ae and from Honourable Senators.
Members of the House of Commons, there straight to my heart.
Au In the sentence, the word AubeforeAy in AuAs I have said beforeAy functions as a temporal deixis that points to a time in the past when a similar statement was made.
It refers to an earlier moment in King Charles iAos speeches or experiences, connecting his current words with his previous expressions of affection for Canada.
The deixis AubeforeAy establishes a sense of temporal continuity, showing that his sentiments are not new but have been consistently expressed over Published by English Lecturers and Teachers Association (ELTA) Copyright A 2026, authors Journal of Applied Linguistics (JoAL).
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e-ISSN 2809-1922, p-ISSN 2809-1914 It anchors the statement in a personal timeline, allowing the audience to see his message as part of an ongoing relationship with the country.
The use of AubeforeAy also evokes a tone of familiarity and sincerity.
It reminds listeners that the KingAos fondness for Canada is deeply rooted and has been reaffirmed through multiple By referring back to an earlier point in time, the deixis strengthens the emotional depth of the message, giving it both historical and personal significance.
It connects past and present moments in his narrative, turning the speech into a reflection of lasting respect, memory, and affection toward the nation and its people.
DISCUSSION
The analysis of King Charles iAos Speech from the Throne .
shows that deixis plays an important role in shaping the meaning and emotional tone of the speech.
The dominance of person deixis, which makes up 51.
97 percent of all deictic expressions, reflects the KingAos intention to build a close and inclusive relationship with his audience.
Through the repeated use of pronouns such as I, we, our, and you, he creates a shared sense of unity and national belonging while connecting his personal voice with his position as monarch.
This consistent use of person deixis demonstrates how King Charles combines personal sincerity with institutional authority to make his message sound genuine and collective.
It also highlights how language can act as a bridge between leader and listener, allowing a royal address to become both personal and unifying in nature.
In addition, spatial and temporal deixis strengthen the message by linking the speech to its geographical and historical context.
Spatial deixis, which appears in 43.
31 percent of the expressions, helps the King refer to Canada as one connected community through words like here, this country, and across the nation.
This use of space reflects a symbolic unity that brings people together under one national identity.
Temporal deixis, although less frequent at 4.
percent, gives the speech a sense of continuity by connecting the present with CanadaAos historical achievements and future hopes.
Together, these types of deixis show that the KingAos speech is not only ceremonial but also a meaningful act of communication that expresses shared values, reinforces solidarity, and strengthens the bond between the Crown and its people.
CONCLUSION
Deixis reflects the close relationship between language structure and its contextual Based on the analysis, the speech demonstrates how deictic expressions function to communicate the KingAos vision of unity, continuity, and national purpose within the constitutional framework of the United Kingdom and Canada.
Through the strategic use of personal pronouns, spatial references, and temporal markers, the King effectively aligns himself with the people, situating his message within both historical tradition and present national Furthermore, the use of deixis enables him to appeal to diverse audiences, political representatives, citizens, and international observers, by presenting the monarchy as both authoritative and inclusive.
Therefore, deixis not only shapes the linguistic construction of the speech but also serves as a pragmatic means of reinforcing national identity, strengthening solidarity, and maintaining the symbolic bond between the Crown and the people.
REFERENCES