Indexicality

Origins

The term indexicality originated in linguistics. Linguists identified that some words did not have meanings outside of their use. For example, words such as that, he, or it do not have meanings on their own. The meanings of these words come solely from how they are used in the context of the conversation. It is for this reason that indexical words have been treated as problematic by linguists and philosophers.

In contrast, ethnomethodologists believe that indexical expressions are fundamental to understanding practical human behavior. Ethnomethodologists believe that everyday life is a practical accomplishment. This means that everyday individuals engage in practices that allow them to navigate their various social interactions in the world. The study of these practices sheds light on the processes that individuals use to achieve their routine goals in life. This does not mean that the statements individuals make are arbitrary or predetermined. Ethnomethodologists are primarily concerned with how individuals make sense of their situations when meaning is imprecise; thus, they examine how individuals practically determine meaning in different settings.

As in linguistics, indexicality in ethnomethodology describes how language and, by extension, other forms of communication are context dependent. This means that all language is dependent upon when it is used and by whom it is used. The importance of this assertion is that meanings are wholly dependent upon the contextual factors that are present when the word/symbol/sign is used. Thus, meaning is a loose concept whereby what is understood by the word or statement is contingent on factors that are situationally dependent.

Objective versus Indexical Expressions

Another area of concern is the distinction between objective and indexical expressions. Linguists and philosophers are concerned with precision in meaning. From their perspective, indexical words or statements obfuscate meaning, because the meanings of these words and statements are contingent. To overcome this supposed problem, the use of objective expressions is suggested. These expressions are intended to have meaning that is context independent. These statements include, but are not limited to, mathematical expressions and scientific writing. Nevertheless, as Richard A. Hilbert points out, it is not possible to have completely objective statements. To do so would mean that every context would have to be identified and clarified so that meaning would not be misconstrued.