How Spanish Works A Pragmatic Analysis

9781556052989

1556052987

The main purpose of this analysis is the explication of how Spanish functions to enable a language community to orient themselves with respect to their environment and attempt to dominate it. The material is divided into two parts: orientation and dynamics, keyed respectively to these basic functions. The text contains numerous innovations with respect to "ser" and "estar", modification, quantification (including comparison), reflexive sentences, and framing clauses (concessive and conditional sentences). A virtual or general agent is posited to explain a number of puzzling constructions, and there is a constant emphasis on the importance of general as opposed to specific reference. The analysis is directed toward students and others already familiar with Spanish, but the cultivated lay person with a general interest in language will also find the material of value, as emphasis is placed on concepts rather than on specific material.