Exclamation, intensity, and emotive assertion

Abstract

Abstract In this paper, we present a novel analysis of exclamations as assertions equivalent to particular uses of declarative sentences with emotive verbs. Focusing on wh-exclamatives and declarative exclamations, we offer a wide range of arguments for why they are both assertive. We further argue that like emotive verbs, exclamations convey a presupposition not of factivity but of subjective veridicality anchored to the speaker, and assert the emotion (of surprise, amazement, or a negative emotion). Our analysis proposes a syntax-semantics for exclamations without a speech act operator, and exclamativity surfaces as an attitude rather than a speech act. This seems to be well motivated by the Greek, German as well as English facts we examine in the paper. Illocutionary operator approaches cannot capture the facts discussed here, and they also fail to determine precisely what the exclamative force might be.