1887
Volume 21, Issue 2
  • ISSN 1566-5852
  • E-ISSN: 1569-9854
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Abstract

Abstract

In this paper, I discuss a type of construction that is rarely if ever mentioned in connection with diachronic cyclicity: -interrogative marking. In particular, I shall compare sentential negation with -marking in French and point to interesting commonalities between the prototypical diachronic cycle (negation) and interrogative marking. The pragmatic contrast between question types in Old French is shown to be mirrored in a similar contrast in Modern French, with the previously “strong” interrogative now being a weaker one. In addition, I argue that reversal of anaphoric direction is another shared feature in the history of negation and of the interrogative.

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2021-03-03
2025-03-19
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  • Article Type: Research Article
Keyword(s): diachronic cycle; echo question; incredulity question; interrogative marking; negation
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