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Pragmatic Markers, Discourse Markers and Modal Particles: New perspectives
Edited by Chiara Fedriani and Andrea Sansó
[Studies in Language Companion Series 186] 2017
► pp. 289–304

Chapter 10
Paths of development of English DMs

(Inter)subjectification, deontic reversal and other stories

| University of Innsbruck

Starting from notions of conversational dominance as a locus for face-work, and of the crucial role of specific language items in managing conflict and (dis)agreement in dialogue, the paper will look at some case studies in the development and pragmaticalization stages of various English Discourse Markers (such as now, pray, please, I’m afraid, and well). Beginning with the source forms, the paper will discuss the gradual emergence of subjective and intersubjective meanings, as well as the phenomenon of layering and the tendency toward the development of deontic meanings that some English discourse markers show, possibly indicating a form of cyclical development of functions. The specific case studies presented include both a synchronic and a diachronic perspective.

Keywords: intersubjectivity, politeness, reversal, face-threat, mitigation
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Common trends in the development of English DMs
  • 3.Two case studies
  • 4.Further evidence
  • 5.Discussion
  • 6.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 13 November 2017
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/slcs.186.11maz
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