Left vs. right periphery in grammaticalization: the case of anyway

Abstract

Ways of identifying functional differences between elements in the left and the right periphery of an utterance after grammaticalization processes are discussed using data from the history and present-day use of anyway. This element developed from a clause-internal adverbial into a discourse-grammatical marker with a predominantly global connective function in the left periphery of a unit of talk, and a local connective function (linking two adjacent utterances) in the right periphery, where it also exhibits a modifying effect at the illocutionary level. The data support the hypothesis that elements in the left periphery are basically employed for discourse coherence and text organization, whereas those in the right periphery tend to link adjacent utterances, to modify illocutionary force, and to indicate subjective meanings. The results suggest that structural position is an essential aspect in understanding the outcome of a grammaticalization process.

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