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Part of
Theory and Practice in Functional-Cognitive Space
Edited by María de los Ángeles Gómez González, Francisco José Ruiz de Mendoza Ibáñez and Francisco Gonzálvez-García
[Studies in Functional and Structural Linguistics 68] 2014
► pp. 129–150

Modification as a propositional act

A complete functional theory of grammar should be able to specify the communicative function of each constituent in a sentence (or rather ‘Discourse Act’). Whereas predicating and referring have been given due attention in functional approaches to grammar, the modifying function of linguistic material in a Discourse Act has been largely ignored. This chapter argues (i) that modifying is no less actional than predicating or referring in the process of verbal communication and (ii) that the modifying function of linguistic material should be specified at the highest level of representation in Functional Discourse Grammar. Apart from Attitudinal Modification, there are at least five Subacts of Modification that are required for an adequate functional analysis of noun phrases and clauses: classifying modification, qualifying modification, quantifying modification, localizing modification and discoursereferential modification.

Keywords: functional modifier categories, layered representation, modification, propositional act, semantic scope
Published online: 22 July 2014
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https://doi.org/10.1075/sfsl.68.06rij
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