Final answer:
In sign language, ix-loc is used to establish a referent in space for future reference, while ix-dir indicates movement or direction between locations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between ix-loc and ix-dir in sign language revolves around the way space is used to convey information about locations and directions. In American Sign Language (ASL), ix-loc (indexing-location) is used to specify a location in space that represents a person, place, thing, or concept. For example, a signer may point to a spot to establish a referent for a person, and then use that spot in subsequent signs to refer back to that person.
On the other hand, ix-dir (indexing-direction) involves signing in a particular direction to indicate where an action is taking place, or the direction in which an action is moving. For example, if a signer points from one place to another, they are indicating movement or direction from one location to the next.