Cognitive linguistics seminar
Speaker: Seppo Kittilä (University of Helsinki)
Title: New typologies of evidentiality
Abstract: In this talk, I will propose two new typologies of evidentiality, or in more common terms, epistemic markers. First, I will propose a more schematic and simpler way of defining existing recognized EVIDENCE TYPES. (This typology has features in common with Plungian’s 2010 seminal typology.) Among other things, the definitions of inference and assumption will be modified because, in their current form (as defined, for example by Aikhenvald, Plungian and de Haan), these notions can explain only a small percentage of actual uses of inferentials and assumptives.
Second, I will propose a new typology of EPISTEMIC MARKERS, based not only on the evidence type the markers code but also taking into account the evaluation of the evidence. I will distinguish the following four types of markers:
- Markers of information source
- Markers of mode of knowing
- Markers of evaluation of evidence
- Markers of subjective evaluation
Markers of the first type take information source into account, and their use is determined by the nature of the evidence the speaker has for his/her claim. These markers correspond rather directly to what is typically labeled as “evidential markers.” The second type of markers do not code the speaker’s (original) information source; rather, they code the current status of the evidence for the speaker (for example, does the speaker know or think that a given state of affairs applies, without specifying the information source in any direct way?). Markers of the third type —the most heterogeneous of the four— evaluate the speaker’s evidence. I distinguish two subtypes here, based on whether the evaluation concerns other people’s evidence (e.g., markers of shared or private knowledge) or the speaker’s previous own evidence (e.g., mirative markers). Finally, markers of Type 4 are usually labeled as “modal markers.
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Cognitive linguistics seminar
Room 3.54, 50 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LH