The french adverbe spécialement as an eventive focusing subjunct

Abstract

The aim of this article is to determine the different uses the adverb spécialement can receive in discourse. Therefore we work within an argumentative framework, according to which the application of some linguistic criteria prove that this item presents two main features: one paradigmatic, another eventive. Both features derive into two different discourse strategies depending on the fact that spécialement focuses upon the whole predication as an event or only a part of it. When the adverb operates as an eventive focusing, it involves some pragmatics effects that concern directly the expression of the speaker attitude.