Defining Focusing Modifiers in a cross-linguistic perspective

The goal of this chapter is to reconnect with the research agenda of the “classic” studies on the so-called Focusing Modifiers (such as E. also, only, even) by tackling questions related to the intension (i.e. the defining properties) and the extension (i.e. the inventories) of the category. Since very few classic studies are devoted to Focusing Modifiers in more than one language, these issues are particularly pressing to address in a cross-linguistic perspective. In the present chapter, these questions will be discussed on the basis of data belonging to four languages of two distinct groups: two Germanic – English and German – and two Romance languages – French and Italian.

• Affiliations: 1: University of Basel