The Semantics and Pragmatics of Preposing (Routledge Library Editions: Semantics and Semiology) - Softcover

Ward, Gregory L.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1138690376 ISBN 13: 9781138690370

Publisher: Routledge, 2018

Synopsis

First published in 1988, this book examines the aspects of pragmatic competence involving the class of preposing constructions in English. By limiting the scope of investigation to particular grammatical categories, the author argues previous studies have failed to capture significant pragmatic generalisations. The author asserts what distinguishes one preposing type from another are the semantic and pragmatic properties of the referent of that constituent. After a review of the past literature on preposing, the book goes on to present a pragmatic theory in which two discourse functions of preposing are proposed. It then provides a functional taxonomy of the various preposing types which the theory is designed to account for. One type of preposing, Topicalization, and two of its subtypes, Proposition Affirmation and Ironic Preposing, are discussed in detail in the subsequent chapters before the book concludes with a summary along with directions for future research.

About this title

About the Author

Gregory L. Ward

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1138690376
• ISBN 13: 9781138690370
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 268