Resolving An "Unresolved" Vector

Ngo, Hood, Martin, Painter, Smith & Zappavigna (2022: 170-1):

The selection [virtual:semiosis:prospective] is realised through a release vector (cf. Arnheim, 1982) – that is, an unresolved vector in which an arm is directed up and away to an ‘unoccupied’ space (typically to the speaker’s left). In example (7) an academic writing teacher is guiding students to jointly edit a draft of a text on the topic of changing work practices.

 

In the first image of (7) the teacher’s point is to an [actual: other], a space between wordings on the projected text, in sync with a pause in speech. In the second image, she again points to an [actual:other], this time a sequence of words that precede the previously identified space. This syncs with they could work at home and have flexible time. 

In the third, she proposes wording that could improve the draft – However, yeah, there are a number of disadvantages or serious disadvantages. In sync with the proposed wording she extends her left arm and hand, pointing up and away to her left instantiating a release vector that realises [virtual:semiosis:prospective].

Blogger Comments:

To be clear, here the teacher is pointing to the portion of text to be edited, so the vector is not "unresolved", and so, in the authors' terms, the deixis is actual, not virtual.