ABSTRACTION, CONTEXT, AND PERSPECTIVIZATION – EVIDENTIALS IN DISCOURSE SEMANTICS

An analysis of the role of German evidentials within the context of discourse semantics. Forms such as epistemic mu 'must', offensichtlich/offenbar 'obviously', sicherlich 'surely', schein- 'seem', & angeblich 'supposedly' are examined. It is shown that a small number of parameters will serve to distinguish these evidentials. The nature of evidential sources is discussed. The context-sensitivity of evidence operators is emphasized. Implications of the results for a "semantics of pretending" are discussed. 6 Figures, 54 References. Adapted from the source document