Edited by Remus Gergel, Ingo Reich and Augustin Speyer
Germanic languages have been recognized as having not only intensifying or focus particles, but also so-called modal particles. The relevant items are specialized discourse markers joined by characteristic syntactic properties. After an introductory overview of the complex field, the contributions… read more
This study investigates the cognitive plausibility of diachronic modal development using an experimental approach grounded in the Human Diachronic Simulation Paradigm, which has been proposed and shown to successfully simulate the conditions under which an attested semantic change occurs… read more
This chapter provides a general background to the field of particles by introducing major classifications and considerations from synchronic, diachronic, and contrastive perspectives. It builds on earlier literature from the respective fields. In doing so, it also prepares the ground for the… read more
Starting out from observations in English linguistics, the paper makes a case that final though is an English particle. An experimental study is conducted indicating that though is permissive outside of concessive contexts as well. The focus of this study is placed on corpus examples which have… read more
This paper focuses on some effects and possible causes in the concatenation of two micro-developments undergone by words like rather. While the first one maps its semantics from an original temporal-based comparison to modal meanings, the second takes it from modal ordering to the modification of… read more
This paper analyzes degree constructions in Romanian and describes a visibility requirement based on representations at the level of Logical Form. The proposal thus follows the mechanism of LF-binding (Hulk & Verheugd 1994). We transfer this insight to the extraction and binding of degrees, by… read more
The present chapter investigates comparative clauses in English and French with a special focus on subject–verb inversion. It explores the derivation and diachronic evolution of such clauses and makes a case for continuity by defending a simple derivation that requires a so-called low subject, that… read more
This paper presents parallel sets of data on comparison constructions from 14 languages. On the basis of the crosslinguistic differences we observe, we propose three parameters of language variation. The first parameter concerns the question of whether or not a language’s grammar has incorporated… read more
The paper contributes to the raising vs. control debate with respect to modals through (A) novel data; (B) the investigation of a domain in which it has proven particularly problematic: volitional modality. We analyze oblique arguments of experiencer verbs embedded under German wollen ‘want’ and… read more
