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Structures in Discourse: Interaction, adaptability, and pragmatic functions
Edited by Martin Gill, Aino Malmivirta and Brita Wårvik
[Pragmatics & Beyond New Series 345] 2024
► pp. 36–57

How pragmatically (in)definite are you and one?

Pronominal imposture in George Orwell’s Down and Out in Paris and London (1933)

| University Paul-Valéry – Montpellier 3

This chapter focuses on two specific pronominal ‘imposters’, you and one as used in Orwell’s semi-autobiographical text Down and Out in Paris and London (1933). It studies the ‘definite-indefinite’ and ‘specific-generic’ potential of the pronouns via the same theoretical framework put forward in Sorlin (2022) with regard to the second-person pronoun, the better to appreciate the similarities and differences between the two pronouns. The aim of this chapter is to investigate the way the two pronouns foreground (and background) their egocentric and altruistic orientation and to what pragmatic purposes. The pronominal comparison within the same corpus allows to perceive why one tends to be used in lieu of you (and vice versa) in strategic places of the essay.

Keywords: you, one, personal pronouns, indefinite, pragmatics, Orwell, imposture, egocentrism
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Corpus, methodology and research question
  • 3.Setting the theoretical model with you
  • 4.Applying the model to one
    • 4.1ONE1
    • 4.2ONE2
    • 4.3ONE3
    • 4.4ONE4
  • 5.Comparing the pronouns
    • 5.1Similarities and differences in scope
    • 5.2Pragmatic effects on the readers
  • 6.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
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