Sunday 17 February 2019

David Banks On 'Does'

While this notion does make sense on the surface,
one of emphasis, or something else?
2) How does it compare to
While this notion makes sense on the surface,
? No emphasis?

I'm not sure that "emphasis" is the "mot juste". I think context is important: (1) seems to imply a context where the opposite (".. does not make sense ..") has at least been envisaged by the proponents in the discourse. (2) seems to be neutral in this respect.





Blogger Comments:

[1] To be clear, the difference between the wording of (1) and (2) is that the former distinguishes the Finite from the Predicator, whereas the latter conflates them:

While
this notion
does
make
sense
on the surface

Subject
Finite
Predicator
Complement
comment Adjunct

Mood
Residue

While
this notion
makes
sense
on the surface

Subject
Finite
Predicator
Complement
comment Adjunct

Mood
Residue

The separation in (1) makes it possible to single out the Finite does as the focus of New information ("emphasis"):

While
this notion
does
make
sense
on the surface

Subject
Finite
Predicator
Complement
comment Adjunct
Given

New: contrastive
Given

New: contrastive

[2] To be clear, in (1), the "opposite context" is realised in language, on the one hand, by highlighting both the positive polarity of the Finite does and the qualified validity of the comment Adjunct on the surface as contrastive New information.

On the other hand, the "opposite context" is also realised in language by the choice of KEY.  The unmarked TONE feature for such a dependent clause is tone 4 (fall-rise), which, in the case of declarative MOOD, can realise 'reservation'.  In (1), 'reservation' is instantiated twice, with positive polarity and qualified validity the focus of each.

[3] To be clear, it is not that (2) is "neutral in this respect", but that 'reservation' is only instantiated once, with the qualified validity of the comment Adjunct as the only contrastive focus.

While
this notion
makes
sense
on the surface

Subject
Finite
Predicator
Complement
comment Adjunct
Given




New: contrastive

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