Monday 10 August 2015

Misconstruing Interpersonal Counterexpectancy As Logical Continuity

Martin (1992: 232):
The contrast between just and even corresponds to that between at least and indeed among he internal comparatives.  Just signals that too much has been implied, even that too little has.
DIMINISH
[4:171] Is Ben training?
            — No, he's only reading. 
AUGMENT
[4:172] Is Ben training?
            — Yeah, he's even doing wind-sprints.

Blogger Comments:

[1] In SFL theory, the textual contrast marked by the conjunctive Adjuncts at least and indeed is the elaboration contrast between corrective and verifactive clarification (see Halliday & Matthiessen 2004: 542).

[2] In SFL theory, the interpersonal contrast marked by the mood Adjuncts just and even is the intensity contrast between limiting and exceeding counterexpectancy.  Here they have been misconstrued as logical in function: marking continuity relations, with 'limiting' rebranded as 'diminish', and 'exceeding' rebranded as 'augment'.