Adverbials in use

About this book

This volume provides a broad overview of the question of adverbials at the syntax/discourse interface, covering a variety of different languages; French, English, German, Norwegian and Finnish; and using different frameworks such as Cognitive Grammar, Constructional Grammar, Grammaticalization Theory, experimental approaches and formal approaches developed in Segmented Discourse Representation Theory (SDRT). It offers a rich insight into the functions linked to adverbial positioning. One of the main claims defended in this book is that the initial position itself plays a specific role in discourse cohesion. At issue is the grammaticalization of this initial position, seen as a privileged locus for categorical changes and for the emergence of various discourse functions of adverbials such as discourse markers, connectives and framing adverbials. It is hoped that contributions in this volume will lead to a better understanding of the complex interplay of competing motivations affecting the use of adverbials in discourse.