Functional Grammar and Verbal Interaction: (44 Studies in Language Companion Series)

Functional Grammar (FG) as set out by Simon Dik is the ambitious combination of a functionalist approach to the study of language with a consistent formalization of the underlying structures which it recognizes as relevant. The present volume represents the attempts made within the FG framework to expand the theory so as to cover a wider empirical domain than is usual for highly formalized linguistic theories, namely that of written and spoken discourse, while retaining its methodological precision. The book covers an array of phenomena, both from monologue and from dialogue material, relating to discourse structure, speaker aims and goals, action theory, the flow of information, illocutionary force, modality, etc. The central question underlying most of the contributions concerns the relation between, and the division of labour between the existing grammatical module of FG on the one hand, and a discourse or pragmatic module capable of handling such discourse phenomena on the other. What emerges are new proposals for the formal treatment of for instance illocutionary force and the informational status of constituents. Many of the data discussed are from ‘real’ language rather than being invented, and samples from various languages other than English (Spanish, Polish, Latin, French) are examined and used as illustrations of the theoretical problem to be solved. Readership: theoretical linguists and discourse and conversation analysts

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction; 2. Part 1 Discourse and grammar; 3. The multilayered structure of the utterance: about illocution, modality and discourse moves (by Vet, Co); 4. Benveniste's recit and discours as Discourse operators in Functional Grammar (by Moutaouakil, Ahmed); 5. Textual cohesion and the notion of perception (by Jadir, Mohammed); 6. Structure and coherence in business conversations (by Steuten, Ans A.G.); 7. An outline of a pragmatic functional grammar (by Berg, Marinus van den); 8. Part 2 The interpersonal component; 9. Illocution and grammar: a double level approach (by Liedtke, Frank); 10. Concession in Spanish (by Crevels, Mily); 11. Epistemic possibility in the layered structure of the utterance (by Vet, Co); 12. Information, Situation Semantics and Functional Grammar (by Connolly, John H.); 13. Part 3 Information structure; 14. What to do with Topic and Focus?: Evaluating pragmatic information (by Bolkestein, A. Machtelt); 15. Parallel Focus in English and Spanish: evidence from conversation (by Martinez Caro, Elena); 16. Polish main clause constituent order and FG pragmatic functions (by Siewierska, Anna); 17. The basis of syntax in the holophrase (by Mackenzie, J. Lachlan); 18. Subject index; 19. Index of names; 20. List of contributors