Semantic-Pragmatic Change from Intersubjective to Textual Meanings

This is the first comprehensive volume to explore the tendency from ‘intersubjective’ to ‘textual’ functions in semantic-pragmatic change. It challenges the influential hypothesis based on the pioneering works by Traugott, i.e. the unidirectionality of change from objective to subjective and then to intersubjective meanings. In this framework, textual meanings precede (inter)subjective ones. Questioning this established trajectory, the contributions in this volume offer fresh perspectives on the development of intersubjective and textual functions. The chapters provide new empirical data about different constructions (modals, conditionals, discourse markers, non-lexical items, etc.), across a variety of largely unrelated languages (Ainu, Mandarin Chinese, English, German, Japanese, Italian, Sicilian, Spanish).

This book collects a multifaceted reflection for researchers interested in language change, especially at the interface of semantics and pragmatics, providing readers with an opportunity to better understand the crucial processes of textualization and intersubjectification.