Publication details

Gradation of Meaning in an English Sentence

Authors

CHAMONIKOLASOVÁ Jana

Year of publication 2004
Type Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source Anglica Wratislaviensia 42
MU Faculty or unit

Faculty of Arts

Citation
Field Linguistics
Keywords semantics; syntax; functional sentence perspective; word-order patterns
Description The paper deals with Bolinger's theory of linear modification, which is based on the claim that 'gradation of position creates gradation of meaning when there are no interfering factors'. The theory of functional sentence perspective interprets the gradation of meaning as an essential property of the development of the communication. In developing the communication, the meanings continually move closer to the high point of the communication, i.e. they gradually gain in communicative value. The paper outlines the interfering factors that work counter to linear modification. Although word order is grammaticalized in English, the tendency to linear modification is so strong that under certain conditions, gradation of position creates gradation of meaning even when there are interfering factors.

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