Title :

Short-circuited interpretations of modal verb constructions

Author(s) :

Cappelle, Bert [Auteur]
Savoirs, Textes, Langage (STL) - UMR 8163 [STL]
Depraetere, Ilse [Auteur]
Savoirs, Textes, Langage (STL) - UMR 8163 [STL]

Journal title :

Constructions and Frames

Pages :

7 - 39

Publisher :

John Benjamins

Publication date :

2016

ISSN :

1876-1933

English keyword(s) :

modal meaning
semantics-pragmatics interface
short-circuited implicature
modal verb constructions
saturation
language humour
The Simpsons

HAL domain(s) :

Sciences de l'Homme et Société/Linguistique

English abstract : [en]

In this paper we aim to show how distinct semantic and pragmatic layers of modal interpretation can be fruitfully integrated within a constructionist approach. We discuss in detail a number of cases from the Simpsons where ...
Show more >In this paper we aim to show how distinct semantic and pragmatic layers of modal interpretation can be fruitfully integrated within a constructionist approach. We discuss in detail a number of cases from the Simpsons where a modal verb, as part of a longer expression, has a short-circuited interpretation, that is, where it is conventionally associated with a context-specific modal semantic value and, in some cases, with added pragmatic information. Short-circuitedness is evidenced by the humorous effect that is obtained when a character wilfully or unknowingly ignores standard aspects of interpretation of such a modal verb construction.Show less >

Language :

Anglais

Popular science :

Non

Collections :

• Savoirs, Textes, Langage (STL) - UMR 8163

Source :

Harvested from HAL