Illocutionary Indicators: A Comparative-Typological Perspective

Abstract

This study is part of the research on speech acts. The object of description is illocutionary units. The relevance of the study is determined by the fact that illocutionary markers play a significant role in oral communication processes. The interest in the examined units is also determined by the fact that certain illocutionary constructions over time transform into metatextual indicators, discourse markers. The main meaning of illocutionary units is the expression of prohibition, prohibition and disapproval, prohibition and threat, disapproval, disagreement, disagreement and objection, refusal, agreement, demand for cessation of action, permission, threat, reproach, surprise, admiration. The aim of this article is to present the mechanisms of formation of non-descriptive use of linguistic units in illocutionary function. The models of formation of illocutionary idioms are identified. Classes of units capable of serving as illocutionary markers are distinguished. Special attention is paid to illocutionary expressions with propositional verbs. Illocutionary markers formed from verbs denoting physical actions, verbs denoting movement, and verbs denoting physical impact on an object are also presented. A comparative study of illocutionary markers in different languages — Russian, Belarusian, Ukrainian, Polish, English, Spanish, Italian, German, Portuguese — is conducted using a large number of examples from literary works. Linguistically specific formulas are presented.