Expressivity and Syntax

Abstract This chapter centers on the contribution of syntax to the expressive function of language. Several case studies at the heart of multidimensional analyses, such as slurs, epithets, or expressive adjectives, are discussed with the aim of showing that syntax plays a crucial role in deactivating truth-conditions by providing “expletive” positions in which expressive meanings are calculated. This type of grammatical recycling accounts for several differences among different expressive constructions. Importantly, the recycling strategy also accounts for the distribution of expressive words in Romance binominals, casting serious doubts on the mainstream predicative analyses. Finally, it is argued that expressive recycling cannot account for other types of expressive phenomena that seem to require the formal activity of an [expressive] feature or some manipulation of the rules of grammar.