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Part of
Existential Constructions across Languages: Forms, meanings and functions
Edited by Laure Sarda and Ludovica Lena
[Human Cognitive Processing 76] 2023
► pp. 325–345

Chapter 11
Words also exist in a world

On the pattern ‘X’ does not exist; it’s called ‘Y’

ORCID logo | Université de Lille, Laboratoire STL UMR 8163 – CNRS

Clause sequences of the type ‘X’ does not exist – its correct name is ‘Y’ use descriptive negation in the first clause but also have something literally contradictory about them that is reminiscent of metalinguistic negation. I argue that the negative existential in such clause sequences exhibits a use-mention mix without blending descriptive and metalinguistic negation. The apparent contradiction can be resolved by acknowledging that words are not abstract labels lacking any substantial existence but also have a concrete reality in a ‘world of words’. Speakers often use the clause sequence studied here as a rhetorical device to point out that other speakers, for whom a word has currency, have a flawed view of the non-linguistic world.

Keywords: descriptive negation, metalinguistic negation, negative existential, rhetoric, use-mention mix
Article outline
  • 1.The question
  • 2.Two kinds of negation
    • 2.1Distinctive properties
    • 2.2Metalinguistic negation: Some further illustrations
    • 2.3Literal contradiction: A (frequent) hallmark of metalinguistic negation
  • 3.‘Blends of descriptive and metalinguistic negation’ do not exist – they’re called use-mention mixes
  • 4.Existing in a world of words
    • 4.1Occurring as a word being treated as tantamount to existing as a thing
    • 4.2The pattern as a rhetorical device
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 5 July 2023
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/hcp.76.11cap
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