The semantics of spatial demonstratives in Spanish: a Demonstrative Choice Task study

abstract Demonstratives ( this/that in English) are pivotal communication. In this study, we show that semantic features of referents systematically influence speakers’ choices demonstrative forms for Spanish nouns the absence a guiding context. We used Demonstrative Choice Task (DCT), previously applied to two-term languages (Danish, English, and Italian), it Spanish, three-term system este/ese/aquel ), test if dimensions driving choice overlap with those found English. 1,639 native speakers were presented 480 rated along 76 asked match each noun demonstrative. demonstratives influenced by same factors as languages, such manipulability, valence, self. these predict between proximal este/a combination medial distal ese/a aquel/la. Additional affect preferences versus aquel/a (e.g., visuality time). conclude many attractors influencing constant across independent number terms characterizing system, provide window into landscape meaning subserving linguistic reference.