Misconstruing Positive Condition As Concessive

Martin (1992: 200):

Concessive conditionals can be further subclassified according to the universality of the contingency denied.  Single, alternative and universal concessive contingency is illustrated below:

CONDITIONAL/CONCESSIVE: SINGLE

[4:81]  Even if we get that judge again

            we'll win. 

CONDITIONAL/CONCESSIVE: ALTERNATIVE

[4:81]  Whether we get that judge again or not

            we'll win. 

CONDITIONAL/CONCESSIVE: UNIVERSAL

[4:81]  Whichever judge we get

            we'll win.

Blogger Comments:

[1] Neither the 'alternative' nor the 'universal' agnate involves the logical relation of condition: concessive — if P then contrary to expectation Q.  Both involve the logical relation of positive condition — if P then Q.  Winning is not contrary to expectation under either condition.

[2] This confuses enhancement (condition) with extension (alternation).  Here the logical relation of extension: alternation — X or Y — is realised in the clause nexus forming the condition (whether … or not).

[3] Therefore, the difference between the three conditionals is not "according to the universality of the contingency denied".