Illocutionary constructions: (Multiple source)-in-target metonymies, illocutionary ICMs, and specification links
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Universidad de La Rioja
info
ISSN: 0271-5309
Year of publication: 2013
Volume: 33
Issue: 2
Pages: 128-149
Type: Article
More publications in: Language & Communication
Abstract
This article revisits the notion of indirect speech acts (ISA) in the light of a weak formulation of the classical Literal Force Hypothesis. It is argued that ISAs are actually instances of unspecified illocutions, which allows for the positing of a conventionalization cline in their realization. Under these assumptions, we revise current theories of ISAs and make a number of proposals to overcome their limitations: (1) (Multiple source)-in-target metonymies and illocutionary ICMs are postulated to account for the motivation and rich conceptual fabric of illocutionary categories, respectively; and (2) a more flexible model of illocutionary constructions is sketched in terms of base configurations and specification links in order to explain the multi-faceted nature of illocutionary performance. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.