Abstract
This paper aims to explore the role of connectors in the degree of discourse coherence. Starting from Dik’s (1997: ch. 18) discourse model, I examine the extent to which connectors can adequately be accounted for in the theory of Functional Grammar through the study of the French particle tandis que. At the semantic level, tandis que is characterized as a circumstantial satellite marker be it locally or in a more global scope. As for pragmatic functions, it is argued that the Parallel Focus function singled out by tandis que can also be assigned to more than one element of a parallel construction when the contrast is not a binary relation. The last part of my paper is devoted to the textual functions of the discourse marker tandis que, which is relevant as a coherence-promoting device in introducing Topics or in signalling discourse discontinuity.
Highlights
Dik (1997) considers connectors to be one of the main factors that contribute to the degree of coherence of a discourse
A case study of the French connector tandis que1 will serve as an illus
Starting from Dik’s (1997) model, my aim in this study is to examine to what extent the connector tandis que contributes to the degree of discourse coherence in French
Summary
Dik (1997) considers connectors to be one of the main factors that contribute to the degree of coherence of a discourse. This type of linguistic phenomena, which cannot be accounted for adequately in sentence-oriented models, is motivating current attemps to develop the FG model in a discourse grammar (cf Kroon 1997). Few accounts are reserved in FG framework to such a category referred to as discourse markers, connectors To enrich this field, I will concentrate in the present paper on the question of the extent to which connective particles are required in coherent discourse (Schiffrin 1987, Roulet et al 1985, Jadir in print). Inter alia, to the local and/or global coherence established by this marker, to the informational ‘central/subsidiary’ status (Kroon 1995) of tandis que with regard to a preceding unit, and to the contribution of tandis que to the topical continuity of a discourse, i.e. to its coherence
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