Origin and Evolution of a Pragmatic Marker in Catalan: The Case of “Tanmateix”

Abstract

This study offers an analysis of the origin and linguistic evolution of a question-tag in Catalan. We look at the evolution of tanmateix according to Cognitive Linguistics and, more in particular, Grammaticalization Theory and Discourse Analysis and Pragmatics. We also review the values and meaning of tanmateix according to Intersubjectivization Theory. The evolution of tanmateix is a case in point: from its original meaning as a noun phrase [calculus] (13th c.) to its value [confirmation] as a pragmatic marker. To study this, we pay attention to theatrical plays, some of the best examples that include colloquial Catalan in the Modern Period (16th-18th c.): in these texts, tanmateix appears as a marker of a confirmation question and answer. Finally, we link our findings to Martínez’s study (2018, in press) on the creation and dissemination of an academic linguistic norm and its standardization as an element of linguistic change, and we analyze the validity of this conversational use of tanmateix in some Catalan-speaking regions vs. its main [adversative-concessive] value in standard Catalan.