English degree modifiers : a diachronic corpus-based study of the maximizer class
The study of degree modifiers (cf. âintensifiersâ, Quirk et al. 1985; Allerton 1987; Bolinger 1972) has been a popular topic in English historical linguistics. This is largely due to their markedly emotional function, giving rise to frequent ârenewalâ (Hopper & Traugott 1993, 2003) for reasons of expressivity (cf. e.g. Klein 1998). However, the vast majority of the previous research focuses on one specific type, i.e. âboostersâ (e.g. very, really), cf. Peters 1992, 1994; Lorenz 2002; MĂ©ndez-Naya 2003, 2006, 2007. In comparison, other sub-categories distinguished in standard grammars of English (Quirk et al. 1985; Huddleston & Pullum 2002) have received little attention. This thesis begins to address this gap in the literature, by focusing on one of the neglected sub-categories, viz. maximizers (e.g. absolutely, completely). Specifically, two main research aims are addressed: the initial one being to provide individual comprehensive accounts of the development of seven selected maximizers (viz. absolutely, completely, entirely, perfectly, quite, totally and utterly), and a secondary one, through extrapolation of the results of the individual analyses, being to investigate the diachronic characteristics
McManus, Jennifer
English degree modifiers : a diachronic corpus-based study of the maximizer class. The study of degree modifiers (cf. âintensifiersâ, Quirk et al. 1985; Allerton 1987; Bolinger 1972) has been a popular topic in English historical linguistics. This is largely due to their markedly emotional function, giving rise to frequent ârenewalâ (Hopper & Traugott 1993, 2003) for reasons of expressivity (cf. e.g. Klein 1998). However, the vast majority of the previous research focuses on one specific type, i.e. âboostersâ (e.g. very, really), cf. Peters 1992, 1994; Lorenz 2002; MĂ©ndez-Naya 2003, 2006, 2007. In comparison, other sub-categories distinguished in standard grammars of English (Quirk et al. 1985; Huddleston & Pullum 2002) have received little attention. This thesis begins to address this gap in the literature, by focusing on one of the neglected sub-categories, viz. maximizers (e.g. absolutely, completely). Specifically, two main research aims are addressed: the initial one being to provide individual comprehensive accounts of the development of seven selected maximizers (viz. absolutely, completely, entirely, perfectly, quite, totally and utterly), and a secondary one, through extrapolation of the results of the individual analyses, being to investigate the diachronic characteristics
english degree modifier diachronic_corpus based study class study degree modifier popular topic english historical_linguistics largely_due markedly emotional function give_rise frequent renewal and reason however vast_majority previous focus_one specific_type really comparison sub categories distinguish standard grammar english and receive_little_attention begin_address gap_literature focus_one neglect sub categories viz absolutely completely specifically two_main aim_address initial provide individual comprehensive_account development select viz absolutely completely entirely perfectly quite totally secondary extrapolation individual analysis investigate diachronic characteristic