6 The pragmaticalization of constructions: The Russian discourse items kak by to/tam ni bylo ‘however that may be’ and čto by to/tam ni bylo ‘whatever it is’
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Dmitrij Dobrovol’skij
Abstract
The present article examines the transition of regular lexical and syntactic structures to discourse markers. The concept of pragmaticalization and its positioning within linguistic theory continue to be subjects of ongoing debate. The analysis focuses on two nearsynonymous constructions - kak by to/tam ni bylo ‘however that may be’ and čto by to/tam ni bylo ‘whatever it is’/‘whatever happen( s/ed)’. Using this example, the investigation aims to show the principles underlying the pragmaticalization of constructions. The study uses data from the Russian National Corpus (RNC) and from Sketch Engine. Both constructions are based on the general concessive patterns kak by ni Р and čto by ni Р. The construction kak by to/tam ni bylo has completed the lexicalization and pragmaticalization process, but čto by to/tam ni bylo has not yet done so. The function of the discourse markers analyzed in the article is to accentuate the proposition within their scope as true despite potential doubts or contradicting circumstances.
Abstract
The present article examines the transition of regular lexical and syntactic structures to discourse markers. The concept of pragmaticalization and its positioning within linguistic theory continue to be subjects of ongoing debate. The analysis focuses on two nearsynonymous constructions - kak by to/tam ni bylo ‘however that may be’ and čto by to/tam ni bylo ‘whatever it is’/‘whatever happen( s/ed)’. Using this example, the investigation aims to show the principles underlying the pragmaticalization of constructions. The study uses data from the Russian National Corpus (RNC) and from Sketch Engine. Both constructions are based on the general concessive patterns kak by ni Р and čto by ni Р. The construction kak by to/tam ni bylo has completed the lexicalization and pragmaticalization process, but čto by to/tam ni bylo has not yet done so. The function of the discourse markers analyzed in the article is to accentuate the proposition within their scope as true despite potential doubts or contradicting circumstances.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
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Introduction
- Pragmaticalization: Language change between text and grammar – Introduction to the volume 1
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Part I: Pragmaticalization: Pro and contra
- 1 “Pragmaticalization” or “(inter)subjectification” of Slavic aspect – where does it apply? 31
- 2 The parameters of pragmaticalization 103
- 3 Rebalancing indexicality. Why we might not need the concept of pragmaticalization 141
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Part II: Pragmaticalization of discourse markers and constructions
- 4 Imperatives of visual perception verbs as discourse markers: The case of šūf in Moroccan Arabic 161
- 5 On the emergence and pragmatic functions of discourse markers of interruption: A case in Korean 185
- 6 The pragmaticalization of constructions: The Russian discourse items kak by to/tam ni bylo ‘however that may be’ and čto by to/tam ni bylo ‘whatever it is’ 211
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Part III: Pragmaticalization and language contact
- 7 Competing constructions and language contact: Slavic discourse-structuring elements on the basis of non-finite verba dicendi 229
- 8 Pragmaticalization and pragmatic borrowing in Resian 283
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Part IV: Pragmaticalization: Pathways of change
- 9 Imperatives as a source for the emergence of new particles in Russian 319
- 10 The paths of pragmaticalization: Russian pronouns of “free choice” (synchrony and diachrony) 349
- 11 Milestones of pragmaticalization: Russian pragmatic markers 361
- 12 The Russian interrogative particle razve: The pragmaticalization path 377
- Subject index 395
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
-
Introduction
- Pragmaticalization: Language change between text and grammar – Introduction to the volume 1
-
Part I: Pragmaticalization: Pro and contra
- 1 “Pragmaticalization” or “(inter)subjectification” of Slavic aspect – where does it apply? 31
- 2 The parameters of pragmaticalization 103
- 3 Rebalancing indexicality. Why we might not need the concept of pragmaticalization 141
-
Part II: Pragmaticalization of discourse markers and constructions
- 4 Imperatives of visual perception verbs as discourse markers: The case of šūf in Moroccan Arabic 161
- 5 On the emergence and pragmatic functions of discourse markers of interruption: A case in Korean 185
- 6 The pragmaticalization of constructions: The Russian discourse items kak by to/tam ni bylo ‘however that may be’ and čto by to/tam ni bylo ‘whatever it is’ 211
-
Part III: Pragmaticalization and language contact
- 7 Competing constructions and language contact: Slavic discourse-structuring elements on the basis of non-finite verba dicendi 229
- 8 Pragmaticalization and pragmatic borrowing in Resian 283
-
Part IV: Pragmaticalization: Pathways of change
- 9 Imperatives as a source for the emergence of new particles in Russian 319
- 10 The paths of pragmaticalization: Russian pronouns of “free choice” (synchrony and diachrony) 349
- 11 Milestones of pragmaticalization: Russian pragmatic markers 361
- 12 The Russian interrogative particle razve: The pragmaticalization path 377
- Subject index 395
