The relation of syntactic coordination as a realisation of a semic connection in a linguistic paradox Cover Image

La relation de coordination syntaxique comme realisation du rapport de jonction semique dans les paradoxes
The relation of syntactic coordination as a realisation of a semic connection in a linguistic paradox

Author(s): Katarzyna Wołowska
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies
Published by: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Marii Curie-Sklodowskiej
Keywords: syntax; paradox

Summary/Abstract: The semantic mechanism of a linguistic paradox can be described as a phenomenon based on a simultaneous occurrence of two basic relations – opposition and connection – to which belong the same units of sense (semes) occurring on the same syntagmatic axis of discourse. The subject of this article is one of these relations, namely the relation of connection, and more precisely speaking, one of its realizations on the morpho-syntactic level (in French), that is the syntactic coordination. It is a prototypical expression of the relation of connection, which takes place between opposing semes in paradoxes. The syntactic realization of this relation in coordinating structures is not limited to the simplest construction X I Y, but also embraces other morpho-syntactic structures (constructions with ALE, juxtaposition of equivalent independent clauses, etc.) in which the relation of coordination is more implicit. An interesting case seem also to be coordinative syntactic constructions (in which a clear indication of coordination appears, which is the pronoun I), where the opposing elements – in spite of the fact that formally they seem to be connected on the morpho-syntactic level – in reality do not appear in the relation of connection, where the interpretation of a given sequence as paradoxical is blocked by other factors, especially factors of a semantic nature.

  • Issue Year: 29/2006
  • Issue No: 29/30
  • Page Range: 57-76
  • Page Count: 1
  • Language: French