Ameka, Felix (1990-91). How discourse particles mean: The case of the Ewe “terminal” particles. Journal of African Languages and Linguistics, 12(2), 143-170. DOI: 10.1515_jall.1991.12.2.143
The main claims of this paper are that particles have meanings and that these meanings can be discovered and stated in a linguistically precise manner. Discourse particles, in particular, have meanings in addition to the syntactic, discourse and communicative functions in terms of which they are usually described. It is argued that the syntactic and discourse functional levels should be augmented by a semantic explication of the particles that would constitute a reliable guide to their usage.
The claims are tested and supported through an analysis of the Ewe particles lá and ɖé. These particles have been characterized as phrase and clause terminal particles because they occur at the end of preposed dependent phrases and clauses and at the end of embedded relative clauses. The author contends that the particles have a unitary function: they mark a piece of discourse as forming the conceptual background to the rest, or part of the rest, of an utterance or discourse. Semantic representations couched in a Natural Semantic Metalanguage of hypothetical universal primitives are proposed for the various senses of the particles, which can explain the similarities and differences in their range of use. The paper concludes with a discussion of some cross-linguistic analogues of the Ewe particles.
Research carried out in consultation with or under the supervision of one or more experienced NSM practitioners
