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Chapter 1. Category extension as a variety of loose use

  • Ewa Wałaszewska
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Relevance Theory, Figuration, and Continuity in Pragmatics
This chapter is in the book Relevance Theory, Figuration, and Continuity in Pragmatics

Abstract

The chapter focuses on category extension, typically illustrated by the use of salient brand names such as Hoover for any vacuum cleaner, and seeks to provide a comprehensive discussion of this relevance-theoretic notion. Category extension is regarded as part of the continuum of loose uses, along with approximation, hyperbole and metaphor, but, compared with the other varieties, it has not been given due attention. The chapter seeks to clarify the theoretical status of category extension, by discussing its relation to the other varieties of loose use and by analysing different cases of the phenomenon falling into two groups: limited and creative category extensions. The chapter also shows how concepts such as lexical warfare, paragons, snowclones, schemata and pragmatic routines may improve the understanding of category extension.

Abstract

The chapter focuses on category extension, typically illustrated by the use of salient brand names such as Hoover for any vacuum cleaner, and seeks to provide a comprehensive discussion of this relevance-theoretic notion. Category extension is regarded as part of the continuum of loose uses, along with approximation, hyperbole and metaphor, but, compared with the other varieties, it has not been given due attention. The chapter seeks to clarify the theoretical status of category extension, by discussing its relation to the other varieties of loose use and by analysing different cases of the phenomenon falling into two groups: limited and creative category extensions. The chapter also shows how concepts such as lexical warfare, paragons, snowclones, schemata and pragmatic routines may improve the understanding of category extension.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgements vii
  4. Introduction 1
  5. Part 1. Continua in non-literalness
  6. Chapter 1. Category extension as a variety of loose use 25
  7. Chapter 2. Metonymic relations – from determinacy to indeterminacy 45
  8. Part 2. Concepts, procedures and discourse effects
  9. Chapter 3. Evidential participles and epistemic vigilance 69
  10. Chapter 4. The Greek connective gar 95
  11. Chapter 5. Metarepresentation markers in Indus Kohistani 121
  12. Part 3. Multimodality and style
  13. Chapter 6. When EVERYTHING STANDS OUT, Nothing Does 167
  14. Chapter 7. Relevance, style and multimodality 193
  15. Part 4. Pragmatic effects and emotions
  16. Chapter 8. Towards a relevance-theoretic account of hate speech 229
  17. Chapter 9. Tropes of ill repute 259
  18. Part 5. Stylistic effects in literary works
  19. Chapter 10. Another look at “Cat in the rain” 291
  20. Chapter 11. Echoic irony in Philip Larkin’s poetry and its preservation in Polish translations 309
  21. Chapter 12. Humour and irony in George Mikes’ How to be a Brit 327
  22. Name index 351
  23. Subject index 355
https://doi.org/10.1075/ftl.8.01wal

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgements vii
  4. Introduction 1
  5. Part 1. Continua in non-literalness
  6. Chapter 1. Category extension as a variety of loose use 25
  7. Chapter 2. Metonymic relations – from determinacy to indeterminacy 45
  8. Part 2. Concepts, procedures and discourse effects
  9. Chapter 3. Evidential participles and epistemic vigilance 69
  10. Chapter 4. The Greek connective gar 95
  11. Chapter 5. Metarepresentation markers in Indus Kohistani 121
  12. Part 3. Multimodality and style
  13. Chapter 6. When EVERYTHING STANDS OUT, Nothing Does 167
  14. Chapter 7. Relevance, style and multimodality 193
  15. Part 4. Pragmatic effects and emotions
  16. Chapter 8. Towards a relevance-theoretic account of hate speech 229
  17. Chapter 9. Tropes of ill repute 259
  18. Part 5. Stylistic effects in literary works
  19. Chapter 10. Another look at “Cat in the rain” 291
  20. Chapter 11. Echoic irony in Philip Larkin’s poetry and its preservation in Polish translations 309
  21. Chapter 12. Humour and irony in George Mikes’ How to be a Brit 327
  22. Name index 351
  23. Subject index 355
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