Abstract
In this paper, we investigate focus markers in Catalan that can take on discourse-particle readings. We focus on two Catalan elements that have not been studied from a formal linguistics perspective so far: the focus adverbprecisament‘precisely’ and the focus particletambé‘also’. We demonstrate that these elements feature interpretations that we identify as a type of meaning familiar from discourse particles in languages other than Catalan. After having outlined the basic distribution and interpretative effects of these particles, we analyze the semantics and pragmatics ofprecisamentandtambéwithin a probabilistic argumentative framework, and we then conclude the paper by comparing the observations and analyses we have pointed out for Catalan to other languages that feature a discourse-particle reading of similar focus markers.
Highlights
Discourse particles have been attested in a wide range of languages, and they display several properties that distinguish them from other word classes
We will turn to crosslinguistic comparisons of similar particles in other languages, and we will address the more general question of how clear the categorial distinction between focus markers and discourse particles can be drawn at all, given their close semantic relationship we are observing in this paper
We will provide evidence for the claim that the semantic contribution in present-day Catalan of some focus markers is rather a discourse-particle interpretation—but we will not look into the diachronic connections between those readings
Summary
Discourse particles have been attested in a wide range of languages (see e.g. Zimmermann 2011, Grosz to appear for overviews), and they display several properties that distinguish them from other word classes. Given this analysis, we will turn to crosslinguistic comparisons of similar particles in other languages, and we will address the more general question of how clear the categorial distinction between focus markers and discourse particles can be drawn at all, given their close semantic relationship we are observing in this paper.. We will provide evidence (and analyses) for the claim that the semantic contribution in present-day Catalan of some focus markers is rather a discourse-particle interpretation—but we will not look into the diachronic connections between those readings Such a historical investigation is beyond the scope of our paper. With these qualifications in mind, let us turn to the two cases that to our mind are interesting in this regard
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
