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Abstract

Abstract

The article proposes a systematic spell-out of the conditions for clausal complementation, and it pinpoints principled problems concerning the “diagnosis” of complementation in authentic linguistic data. In particular, the article presents a comprehensive functional classification of clause-initial connectives which, under certain conditions, can be considered complementizers, i.e. word units that flag clauses as complements (= arguments) of higher-order clauses. This classification is provided for modern Slavic languages across the board. The onomasiological background for the classificatory grid of the relevant connectives is supplied by a discussion of the underlying concepts and dimensions. Concomitantly, the conditions under which complementation may arise are detailed, together with possible alternative analyses: often, relevant clause-initial connectives need not be qualified as complementizers, and the clauses introduced by them as complements, even if favorable conditions apply. The same holds true for clause pairs without any such connective. This creates systematic delimitation problems of clausal complements against parenthetical comments and quotation. These problems are shown to be fundamental: they usually originate in syntactic indeterminacy, both in the relation between adjacent clause pairs and concerning the status of clause-initial connectives. The discussion of these problems shows their relevance for linguistic theory and the methodology of empirical analysis.

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2026-01-23
2026-02-17

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Modality and illocutionary force
John Benjamins ; https://doi.org/10.1075/elt.00061.wie
/content/journals/10.1075/elt.00061.wie
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  • Article Type: Research Article
Keywords: parentheticals ; quotations ; illocutionary force ; complementation ; speech reports ; modality ; Slavic ; complementizers

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