Clausal Pragmatic Markers, (Inter)Subjectivity and Politeness: Evidence from the Essex Pauper Letters (1731-1837)

Abstract

Drawing evidence from a corpus of the Essex pauper letters (1731-1837), this study aims to provide an account of the ways in which the writers recruit the clausal pragmatic markers “I think”, “I hope” and “I trust” to interact with the addressees in order to achieve their communicative goals. Informed by Sperber and Wilson’s Relevance theory (1995), and Brown and Levinson’s Politeness theory (1978, 1987), the paper reveals that in this context and genre of writing, the intersubjective function of the pragmatic markers prevails. These markers are mostly introduced for politeness reasons, as politeness helps the writers achieve their discursive goals and establish a harmonious interpersonal relationship with the interlocutors. At the same time, these markers also serve as the cognitive signals that invite the addressees to assess the writers’ moves in requesting financial aid in the process of considering whether to grant or deny such a request.