Functional Analysis of Contrasting Conjunctions in Georgian

Abstract

There exist eight conjunctions in Georgian that are used to express semantic or pragmatic contrast. They can be presented as a hierarchy: aramed > oγond > tumca > magram > k’i//k’idev > xolo > tu > da. The hierarchy is organized in such a way that the ability of conjunctions to express contrasting conjoining decreases from the left to the right. On the basis of functional analysis of the conjunctions, we propose seven binary differential semantic/pragmatic features: +/–[Contrast], +/–[Opposition], +/–[Correction], +/–[Expectation], +/–[Wish], +/–[At least one], +/–[Strong underlining]. Certain combinations of the features express the main functions of the conjunctions which are relevant for formal representations of contrastive topics and/or focuses during the joining of some constituents or sentences.