The syntax of confirmationals
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Martina Wiltschko
Abstract
This paper explores the form, function and distribution of certain discourse markers which seem to occur outside traditional clause boundaries and are used to request confirmation. These ‘confirmationals’ differ according to what is expected to be confirmed. Some confirmationals trigger a response from the addressee to confirm that the proposition is true; others require a response to confirm that the addressee knows that the proposition is true. This variation is reminiscent of scope effects and suggests that confirmationals should be analysed in syntactic terms despite their peripheral position. For our analysis, we adopt the Universal Spine Hypothesis (Wiltschko 2014), which promotes a hierarchically organized series of core functional projections. We propose that the highest functional projection of a clause is dedicated to a ‘grounding’ layer, which in turn consists of a speaker-oriented and an addressee-oriented structure. The topmost layer is dedicated to regulate response and consists of a position that encodes the call on the addressee. Our analysis of speech act structure is an updated version of Ross’ (1970) performative hypothesis. We explore the predictions and implications of this hypothesis for the syntax-pragmatics interface.
Abstract
This paper explores the form, function and distribution of certain discourse markers which seem to occur outside traditional clause boundaries and are used to request confirmation. These ‘confirmationals’ differ according to what is expected to be confirmed. Some confirmationals trigger a response from the addressee to confirm that the proposition is true; others require a response to confirm that the addressee knows that the proposition is true. This variation is reminiscent of scope effects and suggests that confirmationals should be analysed in syntactic terms despite their peripheral position. For our analysis, we adopt the Universal Spine Hypothesis (Wiltschko 2014), which promotes a hierarchically organized series of core functional projections. We propose that the highest functional projection of a clause is dedicated to a ‘grounding’ layer, which in turn consists of a speaker-oriented and an addressee-oriented structure. The topmost layer is dedicated to regulate response and consists of a position that encodes the call on the addressee. Our analysis of speech act structure is an updated version of Ross’ (1970) performative hypothesis. We explore the predictions and implications of this hypothesis for the syntax-pragmatics interface.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Extra-clausal constituents 1
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Part 1. The multifunctionality of ECCs
- Pragmatic markers as constructions. The case of anyway 29
- The (the) fact is (that) construction in English and Dutch 59
- Planning what to say 97
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Part 2. The diachronic development of ECCs
- Mirativity and rhetorical structure 125
- From clause to adverb 157
- Towards a unified constructional characterisation of the nonfinite periphery 177
- Left-dislocated strings in Modern English epistolary prose 203
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Part 3. ECCs in bilingual settings
- Extra-clausal constituents and language contact 243
- The role of extra-clausal constituents in bilingual speech 273
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Part 4. ECCs: a grammar of their own?
- The syntax of confirmationals 305
- On the grammatical status of insubordinate if-clauses 341
- Intensifying adverbs ‘outside the clause’ 379
- Aspects of discourse marker sequencing 417
- Index 447
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Extra-clausal constituents 1
-
Part 1. The multifunctionality of ECCs
- Pragmatic markers as constructions. The case of anyway 29
- The (the) fact is (that) construction in English and Dutch 59
- Planning what to say 97
-
Part 2. The diachronic development of ECCs
- Mirativity and rhetorical structure 125
- From clause to adverb 157
- Towards a unified constructional characterisation of the nonfinite periphery 177
- Left-dislocated strings in Modern English epistolary prose 203
-
Part 3. ECCs in bilingual settings
- Extra-clausal constituents and language contact 243
- The role of extra-clausal constituents in bilingual speech 273
-
Part 4. ECCs: a grammar of their own?
- The syntax of confirmationals 305
- On the grammatical status of insubordinate if-clauses 341
- Intensifying adverbs ‘outside the clause’ 379
- Aspects of discourse marker sequencing 417
- Index 447
