Dutch quotative van
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Peter-Arno Coppen
Abstract
The quotative use of the Dutch preposition van ‘of’ can be considered as the Dutch counterpart of English like, German so and similar items in other languages, the use of which has increased significantly in many languages of the world in the last four decades. Stylistically, quotative van occurs most frequently in informal spoken language, less in more formal spoken language and infrequently in written language (the written language in the new media included). In this sense, Dutch quotative van fits in to a worldwide trend. Yet, quotative van shows some characteristics that seem to differentiate it from its counterparts in other languages. Firstly, van not only combines with direct speech, but also occurs regularly in combination with indirect speech. Secondly, van is not restricted to youth language; it is widely used in all age groups and regions (also in Belgian Dutch). Thirdly, based on written informal documents and dairies, we show that the quotative use of van has old roots in the history of Dutch, going back to at least the 17th century.
Abstract
The quotative use of the Dutch preposition van ‘of’ can be considered as the Dutch counterpart of English like, German so and similar items in other languages, the use of which has increased significantly in many languages of the world in the last four decades. Stylistically, quotative van occurs most frequently in informal spoken language, less in more formal spoken language and infrequently in written language (the written language in the new media included). In this sense, Dutch quotative van fits in to a worldwide trend. Yet, quotative van shows some characteristics that seem to differentiate it from its counterparts in other languages. Firstly, van not only combines with direct speech, but also occurs regularly in combination with indirect speech. Secondly, van is not restricted to youth language; it is widely used in all age groups and regions (also in Belgian Dutch). Thirdly, based on written informal documents and dairies, we show that the quotative use of van has old roots in the history of Dutch, going back to at least the 17th century.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Authors’ biographies vii
- Preface: Introductory remarks on new and old quotatives xi
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Part I. Discourse perspectives
- Impersonal quotation and hypothetical discourse 3
- By three means 37
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Part II. Typological perspectives
- Minds divided 71
- Thetic speaker-instantiating quotative indexes as a cross-linguistic type 117
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Part III. Functional and formal perspectives
- On the characteristics of Japanese reported discourse 145
- Quotative go and be like 173
- Quotation in sign languages 203
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Part IV. Language variation and change
- Performed narrative 231
- Dutch quotative van 259
- Glossary of specialist terms for research in quotation 281
- Author index 291
- Index of terms 293
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Authors’ biographies vii
- Preface: Introductory remarks on new and old quotatives xi
-
Part I. Discourse perspectives
- Impersonal quotation and hypothetical discourse 3
- By three means 37
-
Part II. Typological perspectives
- Minds divided 71
- Thetic speaker-instantiating quotative indexes as a cross-linguistic type 117
-
Part III. Functional and formal perspectives
- On the characteristics of Japanese reported discourse 145
- Quotative go and be like 173
- Quotation in sign languages 203
-
Part IV. Language variation and change
- Performed narrative 231
- Dutch quotative van 259
- Glossary of specialist terms for research in quotation 281
- Author index 291
- Index of terms 293
