Chapter 8. Vagueness explored
-
Maria Cristina Lo Baido
Abstract
The paper sets out to explore the function of vagueness served by comment clauses in Italian, that is, (de-)verbal parentheticals performing various meta-discursive functions. Meta-discourse reflects the expression of speaker’s comment on discourse to different levels ranging from the communication of epistemic commitment to the encoding of an attitude of mirativity and emphasis. In this paper I address meta-discourse that is expressed by comment clauses that assist the speaker in the communication of informative, relational, and discursive vagueness. Specifically, the strategies here investigated indicate a relation of underspecification between the speaker and the formulation to different degrees pertaining to approximation, expression of epistemic stance, categorisation of reference via exemplification, attenuation of speaker’s force, and on-line planning. I argue that vagueness should be related to the expression of speaker’s subjectivity and indexicality, as the performing of this function helps the speaker contextualising the interpretation of various stretches of discourse.
Abstract
The paper sets out to explore the function of vagueness served by comment clauses in Italian, that is, (de-)verbal parentheticals performing various meta-discursive functions. Meta-discourse reflects the expression of speaker’s comment on discourse to different levels ranging from the communication of epistemic commitment to the encoding of an attitude of mirativity and emphasis. In this paper I address meta-discourse that is expressed by comment clauses that assist the speaker in the communication of informative, relational, and discursive vagueness. Specifically, the strategies here investigated indicate a relation of underspecification between the speaker and the formulation to different degrees pertaining to approximation, expression of epistemic stance, categorisation of reference via exemplification, attenuation of speaker’s force, and on-line planning. I argue that vagueness should be related to the expression of speaker’s subjectivity and indexicality, as the performing of this function helps the speaker contextualising the interpretation of various stretches of discourse.
Chapters in this book
- 日本言語政策学会 / Japan Association for Language Policy. 言語政策 / Language Policy 10. 2014 i
- Table of contents v
- Chapter 1. Introduction 1
-
Part I. Vagueness and ambiguity
- Chapter 2. The role of ambiguity and vagueness in language change 10
- Chapter 3. The role of ambiguity in intentional vagueness 29
- Chapter 4. Vagueness and ambiguity are very different (persuasion devices) 51
- Chapter 5. Ambiguity in discourse 84
-
Part II. Vagueness and ambiguity in language change and use
- Chapter 6. Underspecification and ambiguity of voice markers 110
- Chapter 7. Vague stuff 148
- Chapter 8. Vagueness explored 177
- Chapter 9. Using ambiguity and vagueness to avoid problematic answers 208
- Chapter 10. Vagueness and ambiguity of perlocutionary effects in Prime Minister’s Question time sessions 234
- Chapter 11. Place names in legal texts 259
- Index 281
Chapters in this book
- 日本言語政策学会 / Japan Association for Language Policy. 言語政策 / Language Policy 10. 2014 i
- Table of contents v
- Chapter 1. Introduction 1
-
Part I. Vagueness and ambiguity
- Chapter 2. The role of ambiguity and vagueness in language change 10
- Chapter 3. The role of ambiguity in intentional vagueness 29
- Chapter 4. Vagueness and ambiguity are very different (persuasion devices) 51
- Chapter 5. Ambiguity in discourse 84
-
Part II. Vagueness and ambiguity in language change and use
- Chapter 6. Underspecification and ambiguity of voice markers 110
- Chapter 7. Vague stuff 148
- Chapter 8. Vagueness explored 177
- Chapter 9. Using ambiguity and vagueness to avoid problematic answers 208
- Chapter 10. Vagueness and ambiguity of perlocutionary effects in Prime Minister’s Question time sessions 234
- Chapter 11. Place names in legal texts 259
- Index 281
