Chapter 4. Independent si -clauses in Spanish
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Scott A. Schwenter
Abstract
This chapter focuses on a particular use of subordinate-marked si ‘if’ clauses in Spanish as independent declaratives, which typically form the second part of a dialogic interaction with adversative speech act function. I provide both syntactic and prosodic evidence for the status of these constructions as insubordinated, and distinguish them from both full and elliptical conditional constructions in order to provide clear evidence of their status as free-standing declaratives. I also discuss the consequences of the (proposed) insubordination process for the creation of a new adversative connective si identical in form but very different in function from the conditional marker. The development of this adversative function has led to other uses of si that ultimately can be related back to the insubordination process. The more general theoretical question for discussion that is considered is this: What happens to the formal markers of adverbial subordination once they (begin to) appear in contexts where their main clauses are elided, i.e. in contexts of insubordination?
Abstract
This chapter focuses on a particular use of subordinate-marked si ‘if’ clauses in Spanish as independent declaratives, which typically form the second part of a dialogic interaction with adversative speech act function. I provide both syntactic and prosodic evidence for the status of these constructions as insubordinated, and distinguish them from both full and elliptical conditional constructions in order to provide clear evidence of their status as free-standing declaratives. I also discuss the consequences of the (proposed) insubordination process for the creation of a new adversative connective si identical in form but very different in function from the conditional marker. The development of this adversative function has led to other uses of si that ultimately can be related back to the insubordination process. The more general theoretical question for discussion that is considered is this: What happens to the formal markers of adverbial subordination once they (begin to) appear in contexts where their main clauses are elided, i.e. in contexts of insubordination?
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- Map ix
- Author affiliations xi
- Chapter 1. The dynamics of insubordination 1
- Chapter 2. On insubordination and cooptation 39
- Chapter 3. Running in the family 65
- Chapter 4. Independent si -clauses in Spanish 89
- Chapter 5. Revisiting the functional typology of insubordination 113
- Chapter 6. Insubordinated conditionals in spoken and non-spoken Italian 145
- Chapter 7. Insubordination in the Tsezic Languages 171
- Chapter 8. Ordinary insubordination as transient discourse 183
- Chapter 9. Insubordination and the establishment of genealogical relationship across Eurasia 209
- Chapter 10. Insubordination in Japanese diachronically 247
- Chapter 11. Insubordination in Aleut 283
- Chapter 12. Insubordination in Sliammon Salish 309
- Chapter 13. Insubordination in interaction 341
- Chapter 14. How fascinating! Insubordinate exclamations 367
- Chapter 15. Routes to insubordination 393
- Language Index 423
- Author Index 425
- Subject Index 429
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- Map ix
- Author affiliations xi
- Chapter 1. The dynamics of insubordination 1
- Chapter 2. On insubordination and cooptation 39
- Chapter 3. Running in the family 65
- Chapter 4. Independent si -clauses in Spanish 89
- Chapter 5. Revisiting the functional typology of insubordination 113
- Chapter 6. Insubordinated conditionals in spoken and non-spoken Italian 145
- Chapter 7. Insubordination in the Tsezic Languages 171
- Chapter 8. Ordinary insubordination as transient discourse 183
- Chapter 9. Insubordination and the establishment of genealogical relationship across Eurasia 209
- Chapter 10. Insubordination in Japanese diachronically 247
- Chapter 11. Insubordination in Aleut 283
- Chapter 12. Insubordination in Sliammon Salish 309
- Chapter 13. Insubordination in interaction 341
- Chapter 14. How fascinating! Insubordinate exclamations 367
- Chapter 15. Routes to insubordination 393
- Language Index 423
- Author Index 425
- Subject Index 429
