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Plus(s) at(t) i skandinaviska — en minimal matris.

Author

Summary, in English

The word plus(s) can function as a conjunction in Scandinavian, and as such coordinate for example embedded clauses introduced by the subjunction at(t). However, one can also find examples of clauses introduced by plus(s) at(t) although not preceded by another at(t)-clause. These constructions, which represent a relatively new development in Scandinavian, are semantically similar to coordinations containing two embedded clauses: in either case two propositions are coordinated. But syntactically they are of course different. The proposal is that the whole plus(s) at(t)-construction is a main clause where plus(s) represents the matrix clause while the subjunction that follows introduces an ordinary embedded clause. It also seems to be the case that other elements besides plus(s) can function as one-word matrix clauses. Some of these elements would normally be analysed as interjections; others are verb-like while still others are adjectives. In addition, the conjunction men ‘but’ appears to be able to have this function. What all the minimal matrix clauses have in common is that they are related to the illocutionary force of the utterance. For some of the minimal matrix elements it can be shown that they spell out only a small part of the matrix clause, as adverbials can be added. For other elements, like plus(s) and men, it is unclear whether they represent clauses that have a full clause structure or clause that are truly minimal even syntactically.

Department/s

Publishing year

2009

Language

Swedish

Pages

124-141

Publication/Series

Språk och stil

Volume

19

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Institutionen för nordiska språk, Uppsala universitet

Topic

  • Languages and Literature

Keywords

  • bisats
  • svenska
  • bisatsinledare
  • konjunktion
  • koordination
  • danska
  • matrissats
  • plus
  • norska
  • isländska

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1101-1165