Rethinking the coordinate-subordinate dichotomy : interpersonal grammar and the analysis of adverbial clauses in English / by Jean-Christophe Verstraete.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Verstraete, Jean-Christophe, 1976-

Series:

Topics in English linguistics ; 55.

Topics in English linguistics ; 55

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

English language--Modality.

English language.

English language--Adverb.

English language--Clauses.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (340 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Berlin ; New York : Mouton de Gruyter, 2007.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This study argues that the domain traditionally covered by 'coordination' and 'subordination' in English can be subdivided into four distinct construction types. The constructions are defined on the basis of differences in their 'interpersonal' structure, i.e. the grammatical encoding of speaker-attitude and speaker-interlocutor interaction. It is shown that the four types constitute syntactically, semantically and pragmatically coherent categories, with differences in interpersonal structure defining and motivating distinct syntactic behaviour, distinct pragmatic functions and distinct semantic classes of clause linkage. The validity of the analysis is demonstrated in three ways. First, it is shown that the analysis can make sense of the wide range of apparently conflicting criteria found in the literature on complex sentences, which can now be explained as reflections of four different construction types rather than as alternative perspectives on one single contrast between coordination and subordination. Second, it is shown how the analysis can deal with two specific problems in the more general area of clause combining, viz. the syntactic basis of the distinction between 'content', 'epistemic' and 'speech act' levels of clause linkage, and the distinct discursive functions associated with initial and final position of adverbial clauses. Finally, it is also shown that the proposed analysis is useful beyond the analysis of English, with parallels in a number of cross-linguistically recurrent phenomena of clause linkage. The book is mainly of interest to linguistics researchers in the areas of syntax, semantics and pragmatics as well as to graduate students with a focus on these fields.

Contents:

Front matter

Acknowledgements

Contents

Abbreviations

Tables

Figures

Introduction

Part 1. Parameters of interpersonal grammar in the simple clause

Introduction to Part 1

Chapter 1. Modality: Construing a position

Chapter 2. Speech Function: Assigning responsibility

Chapter 3. Focus and scope: Delineating a domain

Part 2. Interpersonal grammar and clause combining

Introduction to Part 2

Chapter 4. Parameters of interpersonal grammar and the analysis of clause combining

Chapter 5. Combining the parameters: A typology

Chapter 6. Motivating the typology: Function

Chapter 7. Motivating the typology: Grammar

Chapter 8. Motivating the typology: Semantics

Part 3. Applications and implications

Introduction to Part 3

Chapter 9. Speaker-related versus SoA-related interpretations

Chapter 10. Initial and final position

Chapter 11. Typological outlook

Conclusion

Notes

References

Subject index

Author index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [301]-314) and index.

ISBN:

9783110918199

3110918196

OCLC:

648412744