What is an ascertainment relation?

Definition
	An ascertainment relation is an internal alternative relation in which a following proposition presents an alternative circumstance where a preparatory condition, of the illocutionary act that includes the previous proposition, is not met. The alternative is presented to make a query about the defectiveness or nondefectiveness of the illocutionary act.

Examples (English)

Do you want a sandwich? Or, aren’t you hungry?
Congratulations with your new car. Or, aren’t you happy with it?
Shut up! Or, don’t you see I’m busy?

Source:

Generic
	An ascertainment relation is a kind of
	What is an alternative relation?

Source
	Dijk 1981 170–171

Context for this page:

Concept module: ascertainment relation
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): A
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004

© 2004 SIL International