The expressivity of grammar: Grammatical devices expressing emotion across time By Axel Hübler (review)

Abstract

198 LANGUAGE, VOLUME 76, NUMBER 1 (2000) plete structural understanding of the language since it soon becomes apparent that Nateni has a very complicated system of tonal alternations and verb-stem allomorphy underlying the expression of tense, aspect , and modality. N states, however, that the original focus of this project was primarily to provide a description ofthe verbal morphology and verb phrase syntax, so it is not surprising that phonology receives only brief mention. The following chapter is a thorough description of the verbal structure and verb phrase syntax with many examples (14-105). This chapter includes a number of tables and schematic diagrams which help to visually orient the reader to the complexities of the morphophonemic and tonal aspects ofthe language. Though it is unclear whether the examples in this section are from texts or elicitation , they are nonetheless very useful in demonstrating the functional explanations for the categories described. This chapter on the verb represents the aspect ofNateni most thoroughly analyzed by N. The following sections on nomináis (106-26) and clauselevel syntax (127-87) are somewhat smaller though still quite informative. The final section (189-244) contains 10 texts and a dialogue which provide a very useful introduction to the language as it functions in a discourse context. Morpheme-by-morpheme glossing and translation are provided throughout. N's account of Nateni is a concise description of the syntax of a language from a not-so-well-documented subbranch of the Niger-Congo family. As such it is a welcome addition to the linguistic knowledge ofthese languages. [Jonathan Banks, University of California, Santa Barbara.] The expressivity of grammar: Grammatical devices expressing emotion across time. By Axel Hübler. (Topics in English , 25.) Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter, 1998. Pp. vii, 253. Here, HUbler studies six grammatical devices which communicate expressivity, specifically, the speaker's attachment to the proposition and/or the receiver. H argues that traditional linguistics has failed to provide an adequate framework for understanding the expressive function of language implicit in such structures as the ge?-passive and the periphrastic do. Following an introductory chapter, the author proceeds to devote one chapter each to the possessive dative, ethic dative, expanded form (progressive ), present perfect, periphrastic do, and getpassive . The conclusion places H's findings in a histoncal perspective. H's overview affirms expressivity as one of the key charactenstics of human communication. He draws on theories from numerous fields, beginning with Charles Bally's division of expressivity into mode vécu (e.g. Damn it) and mode pur (e.g. / am getting mad). The mode vécu, in which the emotion is lived or relived at the moment of utterance, becomes a focus ofthe work. Another key conceptfrom this chapter is Harald Weinrich's distinction between Besprechen (discussing) and Erzählen (storytelling); the former generates an adoptive attachment to the proposition (based on the speaker's needs) while the latterresults in an adaptive attachment (empathy with what or whom the speaker is addressing). Finally, the devices studied are all indexed, or 'meaningrich ' . Since an alternative is clearly available to the speaker, H argues that the use of the 'heavier' form marks an attachment to the proposition. Each device is studied in a similar fashion. H first defines the problem, then reviews past and current theory and points out limitations. He outlines his methodology and employs examples from representative works, ranging from Beowulf to Studs Terkel's Working. Among the expressive devices analyzed is the possessive dative (as studied in Beowulf), where the attachment is toward the person to which the dative refers. Similarly, the use ofthe expanded form allows for both an attachment to the proposition and preaching (discussing) in the midst ofnarrating (e.g. Bede's Ecclesiastical history). Furthermore, H asserts that the present perfect reflects an adoptive attachment (related to speaker needs), especially in statements containing 'now' adverbials. Similar arguments are developed for the ethic dative, the periphrastic do, and the gei-passive (the last being common in present -day English). H concludes by showing how the various devices studied have fared over time, noting periods of peak usage and decline. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that many of the devices have resurfaced...