Subjectification, Intersubjectification and Grammaticalization

Ed. by Davidse, Kristin / Vandelanotte, Lieven / Cuyckens, Hubert

2010 | Hardcover | RRP Euro [D] 98.00 / for USA, Canada, Mexico US$ 137.00. *

ISBN 978-3-11-020588-6
Series: Topics in English Linguistics [TiEL] 66

Also available as an eBook: ISBN 978-3-11-022610-2 | RRP € 98.00 / *US$ 137.00

23 x 15.5 cm
viii, 447 pages
num. figs. and tables

DE GRUYTER MOUTON

Languages: English

Type of Publication: Collection

About this Title

This volume aims to arrive at a fine-grained and grammar-based understanding of the notions of (inter-)subjectivity and (inter-)subjectification in their application to grammaticalization research. In terms of linguistic theory, position is taken vis-à-vis existing approaches to (inter-)subjectification which are either too narrow or too general by addressing two questions: (i) what is the relation between (inter-)subjectivity and pragmatics, and (ii) on what grounds can subjective and intersubjective meanings be distinguished?

In the descriptive sections of the volume, these theoretical considerations are confronted with extensive analytical, and often also quantitative, study of empirical data mainly from English but also from Romance languages. The focus in these case studies is on the analytical and diachronic relations between subjectivity and intersubjectivity, with particular emphasis on the question how linguistic syntagms may shift towards the expression of meanings of which the hearer is an essential part. The domains covered include adverbials and modals, but also the noun phrase, to date a relatively under-researched area in grammaticalization studies. Together these three areas ensure broad verification of existing hypotheses about the relative order in which subjectification and intersubjectification take place.

This volume is mainly of interest to researchers and graduate students with a special interest in subjectification, intersubjectification and grammaticalization, and with a general interest in language change. The volume will also be welcomed by functional linguists (in a broad sense), since it is the first to bring eclectic functionalists' reflections to bear so explicitly on grammaticalization.

Subjects

Linguistics, Communications > Linguistic Theories > Functional Grammar

Linguistics, Communications > Historical Linguistics > Grammaticalization

Linguistics, Communications > Germanic Languages > English

Keywords

English /language; grammaticalization; functional grammar

Readership

Researchers and Students of English, Historical Linguistics and Functional Grammar