Association de variables fonctionnelles avec les fonctions discursives du hedged performative : une étude sur corpus du discours parlementaire britannique

Abstract

Context: Hedged performatives (HPs), first discussed by Fraser (1975), result from the combination of a (semi-)modal and a performative verb (I have to say, I must confess, I can tell,…). Even though they are often mentioned in the literature, the lack of empirical studies into the phenomenon is apparent on both the quantitative and the qualitative side. Indeed, their frequency of use in English and its varieties has never been analysed, nor has the way they function in context. Objectives : To examine the co(n)textual parameters that determine the function and use of hedging particles in British parliamentary discourse from the Hansard corpus. Methodology: Five co(n)textual parameters were examined and explained to have a role in the function and the use of the prototypical HPs I must x, I have to x, and I can x. HPs’ two main functions, downtoner and emphasizer, are investigated. As explained by Holmes (1984), to hedge and to emphasize the illocutionary force of an utterance are two complementary strategies that can be expressed by the same linguistic element; and HPs are one of them. The approach taken in this article thus differs from, for example, Lakoff’s (1972) approach, which is mainly focused on the impact of the modal on the performative verb, while the present study analyzes the construction and its functions in context. Results: Both functions can emanate from the combination of co(n)textual parameters, especially the thematic orientation of the proposition on which the HP has scope (speaker, addressee, third person, situation), and the semantic valency of that proposition (positive, negative, neutral) (Depraetere et Kaltenböck, 2023). We also find that about 9% of uses fall somewhere between these two functions. Finally, we show, that HPs have an important role to play in facework (Brown et Levinson, 1987), either by threatening the speaker’s or the addressee’s face, or by preserving it. Conclusions : This explanatory study will be expanded upon in my doctoral thesis, in which the two main functions of HPs —downtoner and emphasizer— will be investigated. The additional discourse marker use of HPs will also be examined in more detail.