Article published In:
Review of Cognitive Linguistics: Online-First ArticlesThe Spanish subjunctive and grounding
A cognitive approach to the cante paradigm
The paper offers a cognitively oriented approach to the Spanish subjunctive. This verb form is examined in light
of Langacker’s grounding theory. In my understanding, the ground is defined as the communication situation with three inherently
interrelated components: temporality, modality and evidentiality. The subjunctive is then analysed in relation to these three
categories. Particular attention is paid to the evidential component of the ground and its relationship to the Spanish
subjunctive. I define the contexts in which the subjunctive appears as grounding inhibitors. Consequently, the subjunctive is
understood as a verb form lacking temporal, modal and evidential grounding (in opposition to the indicative, which denotes fully
grounded processes).
Keywords: subjunctive, grounding, evidentiality, modality, tense
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Formal paradigm of the Spanish subjunctive and contexts for its use
- 3.Pragmatically and cognitively oriented approaches to the subjunctive
- 3.1Pragmatic presupposition (old information) and non-assertion vs. assertion
- 3.2Dominions of epistemic and effective control
- 3.3Force dynamics
- 4.The subjunctive and the grounding theory
- 4.1Grounding
- 4.2Grounding in Spanish and its relationship to tense, modality and evidentiality
- 4.3The subjunctive as a marker of an ungrounded process
- 5.The subjunctive as a grounding inhibitor: Contexts
- 5.1Grounding inhibitor: Volition, purpose
- 5.2Grounding inhibitor: Evaluation, comment
- 5.3Grounding inhibitor: Non-factuality, virtual scenario
- 5.4Grounding inhibitor: Arbitrariness
- 5.5Grounding inhibitor: Uninferred prospective process
- 6.Conclusions
- Note
-
References
Published online: 15 September 2023
https://doi.org/10.1075/rcl.00160.kra
https://doi.org/10.1075/rcl.00160.kra
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