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Chapter 4. The Greek connective gar

Different genres, different effects?
  • Sarah Casson
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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

Traditional accounts of the Greek connective gar offer an inadequate causal definition, while multiplying descriptive categories. Linguistic accounts have paid little attention to the role of gar in different kinds of communication. This article proposes a relevance-theoretic procedural explanation which provides a unifying cognitive explanation for gar’s communicative role. Gar indicates that the premise it introduces is relevant in relation to a previously communicated claim, which, when combined with implicit assumptions, it strengthens. This strengthening may work itself out differently in diverse kinds of communication: typically, as confirmation in argumentation, and explanation in narrative. Perceived differences in stylistic effects sometimes associated with gar are attributable not to multiple functions, but to recognition of differing communicator goals in narrative and argumentation.

Abstract

Traditional accounts of the Greek connective gar offer an inadequate causal definition, while multiplying descriptive categories. Linguistic accounts have paid little attention to the role of gar in different kinds of communication. This article proposes a relevance-theoretic procedural explanation which provides a unifying cognitive explanation for gar’s communicative role. Gar indicates that the premise it introduces is relevant in relation to a previously communicated claim, which, when combined with implicit assumptions, it strengthens. This strengthening may work itself out differently in diverse kinds of communication: typically, as confirmation in argumentation, and explanation in narrative. Perceived differences in stylistic effects sometimes associated with gar are attributable not to multiple functions, but to recognition of differing communicator goals in narrative and argumentation.

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.8.04cas

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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