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In:The Interpersonal Level in Functional Discourse Grammar
Edited by Monielly Serafim, Matthias Mittendorfer and Kees Hengeveld
[Studies in Language Companion Series 241] 2027
► pp. 405–433

A functional classification of Spanish Focus particles

 | University of Jaén
This content is being prepared for publication; it may be subject to changes.
Abstract
This paper deals with the classification of Spanish Focus particles. Although there are previous proposals in this regard, none of them is entirely satisfactory. Thus, after revising the grammatical properties of these units, a new classification is put forward from a functional perspective. Assuming that Focus particles are fully grammaticalized items, their specific characteristics are explained as triggered by interpersonal and representational operators. Four basic categories are recognized: additive, restrictive, particularizing, and identifying Focus particles. While scalarity plays an essential role in the additive and identifying categories, it does not define a basic class per se.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Previous approaches to Focus particles
  • 3.Domains of Spanish Focus particles
    • 3.1Background
    • 3.2Rethinking addition and scalarity
  • 4.Spanish Focus particles: A taxonomy
    • 4.1Introduction
    • 4.2Restrictive particles
    • 4.3Additive particles
    • 4.4Particularizing and identifying particles
  • 5.Conclusions
  • Author queries
  • Notes
  • References
References (80)
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