AN EMPIRIC STUDY ON THE FUNCTION OF ÞA AND ÞONNE IN THE ORGANIZATION OF DISCOURSE

The Old English temporal adverbs þa and þonne have been associated traditionally with diverse meanings (e.g. temporal, causative) and functions (main clause introducer, subordinate clause introducer); within the framework of generative studies, they have been associated with the pragmatic function of separating given from new material in the subordinate clause. This paper aims to explore the function of these adverbs also in the main clause and to determine their role in the pragmatic organization of the clause.The Old English temporal adverbs þa and þonne have been as- sociated traditionally with diverse meanings (e.g. temporal, causative) and functions (main clause introducer, subordinate clause introducer); within the framework of generative studies, they have been associated with the pragmatic function of separating given from new material in the subordinate clause. This paper aims to explore the function of these adverbs also in the main clause and to determine their role in the prag- matic organization of the clause