Discourse markers in medieval narrative: continuity or ‘change of scenario’

• Type: Chapter or Part of a Book
• Date: 2020

Authors

Barros, Clara (Author) FLUP

Book

Title: Marcadores discursivos: o português como referência contrastiva

Pages: 21-35

ISBN: 978-3-631-81152-8

Electronic ISBN: 978-3-631-82138-1 (PDF); 978-3-631-82139-8 (EPub)

Publisher: Peter Lang

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Humanities > language sciences

Other information

Abstract (EN): This article describes and analyses discourse markers in medieval Portuguese in texts of the narrative discourse tradition. The use of discursive operators ensuring continuity is characteristic of this tradition; however, in the texts analysed, discourse markers also appear which are not of continuity but of ‘change of scenario’. I analyse and describe this use of connectors: they function as discourse markers which change narrative orientation by introducing a new topic, or by resuming a previously abandoned theme. Changes and additions of information are mostly introduced by a ‘change of scenario’ mas [but] with alternative or new directions of narrative. The detected uses and values are compared with values analysed in previous studies, in which I discussed specific aspects of the discursive and textual organization of medieval texts of different discourse traditions and of varied typology. Given their common origin, I also attempt to establish relations of resemblance or contrast with other (notably Romance) languages: I note that there are markers with similar uses and values which appear in the same type of texts. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that the use of the ‘change of scenario’ mas [but] is characteristic of the narrative discourse tradition.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific