THE SYNTAX, SEMANTICS AND PRAGMATICS OF IF-PARENTHETICALS IN FICTIONAL DIALOGUE

Abstract

This paper investigates the pragmatic functions of if-parentheticals in fictional dialogue, focusing on Charles Dickens's David Copperfield. If-parentheticals, often overlooked in traditional syntactic and semantic studies, are examined at the syntax-semantics-pragmatics interface to reveal their discourse-regulating roles. Two primary types are identified: if-metatextual parentheticals, which serve as anchored devices offering commentary and evaluation, and if-speech-act parentheticals, which function as floating elements to regulate politeness and mitigate face-threatening acts. By analyzing their syntactic positioning, semantic contribution, and illocutionary functions, the study highlights their critical role in shaping discourse coherence, interpersonal dynamics, and pragmatic interpretation. The findings underscore how these parentheticals contribute to the depth and subtlety of fictional interactions, emphasizing their value in both linguistic analysis and literary studies.