Desubjectivizing discourse through the use of the periphrasis haber que + infinitive in Spanish

Abstract

The present investigation analyzes the use of a construction traditionally described as impersonal: the periphrasis haber que + infinitive. This is a variable phenomenon in Spanish grammar studied as a meaningful choice based on the cognitive conceptualization of salience. The construction conveys a meaning of duty, obligation, recommendation or convenience by which the speaker accepts the situation described as unavoidable. Its use is analyzed in the texts of the Corpus Interaccional del Español, which comprises a wide range of genres and communicative situations. The hypothesis posed is that the meaning conveyed by haber que + infinitive contributes to the shaping of a communicative style based on the desubjectivity cognitive dimension.

Keywords

• desubjectivization
• impersonals
• periphrasis
• salience
• syntax
• variation