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The (the) fact is (that) construction in English and Dutch

  • Evelien Keizer
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Outside the Clause
This chapter is in the book Outside the Clause

Abstract

This paper deals with a frequently used construction in English and Dutch which can be broadly described as the (DET) (adj) fact is (that) construction. Using authentic data, it starts by presenting a detailed discussion of the differences and similarities between the English and the Dutch constructions in both form and function. Subsequently, it is argued that the formal differences between the English and Dutch constructions can be explained in terms of differences in function. It is shown that there are significant correlations between the various formal and functional properties in the two languages, which are taken to suggest that they are developing in different ways, with the Dutch construction tending towards specialization and the English construction towards further generalization (or bleaching). Finally, a Functional Discourse Grammar (FDG) analysis of constructions of this type is proposed reflecting their specific formal and functional properties. First, it is argued that the sequence (DET) fact is (that) is not to be regarded as a matrix clause, but rather as a semi-fixed pragmatic and/or discourse-organizational marker in extra-clausal position. Next, it will be shown that by exploiting the distinctive characteristics of FDG an insightful account can be provided of the interaction between the pragmatic, semantic, syntactic and phonological features of these constructions, demonstrating the non-arbitrary relationship between their function and their form. Finally, it is shown that analysis proposed can also be used to chart the different stages in the development of the construction in English and Dutch.

Abstract

This paper deals with a frequently used construction in English and Dutch which can be broadly described as the (DET) (adj) fact is (that) construction. Using authentic data, it starts by presenting a detailed discussion of the differences and similarities between the English and the Dutch constructions in both form and function. Subsequently, it is argued that the formal differences between the English and Dutch constructions can be explained in terms of differences in function. It is shown that there are significant correlations between the various formal and functional properties in the two languages, which are taken to suggest that they are developing in different ways, with the Dutch construction tending towards specialization and the English construction towards further generalization (or bleaching). Finally, a Functional Discourse Grammar (FDG) analysis of constructions of this type is proposed reflecting their specific formal and functional properties. First, it is argued that the sequence (DET) fact is (that) is not to be regarded as a matrix clause, but rather as a semi-fixed pragmatic and/or discourse-organizational marker in extra-clausal position. Next, it will be shown that by exploiting the distinctive characteristics of FDG an insightful account can be provided of the interaction between the pragmatic, semantic, syntactic and phonological features of these constructions, demonstrating the non-arbitrary relationship between their function and their form. Finally, it is shown that analysis proposed can also be used to chart the different stages in the development of the construction in English and Dutch.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Extra-clausal constituents 1
  4. Part 1. The multifunctionality of ECCs
  5. Pragmatic markers as constructions. The case of anyway 29
  6. The (the) fact is (that) construction in English and Dutch 59
  7. Planning what to say 97
  8. Part 2. The diachronic development of ECCs
  9. Mirativity and rhetorical structure 125
  10. From clause to adverb 157
  11. Towards a unified constructional characterisation of the nonfinite periphery 177
  12. Left-dislocated strings in Modern English epistolary prose 203
  13. Part 3. ECCs in bilingual settings
  14. Extra-clausal constituents and language contact 243
  15. The role of extra-clausal constituents in bilingual speech 273
  16. Part 4. ECCs: a grammar of their own?
  17. The syntax of confirmationals 305
  18. On the grammatical status of insubordinate if-clauses 341
  19. Intensifying adverbs ‘outside the clause’ 379
  20. Aspects of discourse marker sequencing 417
  21. Index 447
https://doi.org/10.1075/slcs.178.03kei

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Extra-clausal constituents 1
  4. Part 1. The multifunctionality of ECCs
  5. Pragmatic markers as constructions. The case of anyway 29
  6. The (the) fact is (that) construction in English and Dutch 59
  7. Planning what to say 97
  8. Part 2. The diachronic development of ECCs
  9. Mirativity and rhetorical structure 125
  10. From clause to adverb 157
  11. Towards a unified constructional characterisation of the nonfinite periphery 177
  12. Left-dislocated strings in Modern English epistolary prose 203
  13. Part 3. ECCs in bilingual settings
  14. Extra-clausal constituents and language contact 243
  15. The role of extra-clausal constituents in bilingual speech 273
  16. Part 4. ECCs: a grammar of their own?
  17. The syntax of confirmationals 305
  18. On the grammatical status of insubordinate if-clauses 341
  19. Intensifying adverbs ‘outside the clause’ 379
  20. Aspects of discourse marker sequencing 417
  21. Index 447
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