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.
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