An Analysis of Deixis in the Song 'The Prayer' by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli

Abstract

This study explores the use of deixis in the song The Prayer by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli through a mix method qualitative-quantitative approach. The analysis is centred on three main types of deixis: person, spatial, and temporal. By identifying and classifying deixis within the song’s lyrics, the study seeks to determine which type of deixis is most prevalent and how it contributes to conveying the intended meaning and emotional undertones of the song. The findings indicate that person deixis is the most frequently employed, highlighting the song’s emphasis on personal connections and spiritual appeals. Conversely, temporal deixis is minimally utilized, suggesting a focus on universal, timeless messages rather than specific chronological references. Person Deixis has the highest occurrence with 32 instances, accounting for 69.5% of the total deixis identified. Spatial Deixis has 11 occurrences, representing 24% of the total. Temporal Deixis is the least frequent category, with only 3 instances, making up 6.5% of the total. This study underscores the importance of deixis in enhancing the communicative impact of song lyrics and provides a framework for further linguistic analysis in musical contexts.