1. Verás in Peninsular Spanish as a grammaticalized discourse marker invoking positive and negative politeness
- Author
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Chodorowska-Pilch, Marianna
- Subjects
- *
DISCOURSE markers , *GRAMMATICALIZATION , *POLITENESS theory , *SPANISH literature - Abstract
Abstract: This paper examines the use of verás ‘you’ll see’ as a discourse marker in contexts in which it serves an interactional/interpersonal purpose. The study shows that speakers may employ the Future of the perception verb ver ‘see’ in order to convey their attitude towards interlocutors, invoking both ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ politeness. Data analysis indicates that verás can be considered a grammaticalized marker of politeness due to its strategic use and extended meaning in specific contexts. In view of naturally occurring conversations considered in this study, the paper calls for a reexamination of Brown and Levinson''s proposal regarding positive and negative politeness in language. The Spanish discourse marker verás clearly shows its capacity to encode both positive and negative politeness in the same utterance. The present study shows that the same linguistic device (the Future form of the perception verb ver) can be used as a strategy to address both positive and negative politeness in problematic explanations in Spanish. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2008
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