A few or several ? Construal, quantity, and argumentativity

Bibliographic Data

ID21819554
AuthorsNicole Katzir (0000-0001-7024-800X, Tel Aviv University, corresponding author), Mira Ariel (0000-0003-2018-6917, Tel Aviv University)
Year2024
Volume16
Issue1
Pages148-175
Publication date2024-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueLanguage and Cognition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1866-9808 • E-ISSN: 1866-9859
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/langcog.2023.25
OpenAlexW4382684197
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited28

This study examines two seemingly similar quantifiers, a few and several , and argues that the differences between them go beyond the (slightly) different quantities they each denote. Specifically, we argue that several construes its nominal complement as composed of individuated entities, which renders them more prominent, and thus a stronger basis in support of a conclusion the speaker is arguing for. We base our analysis on two experiments and a corpus study. The experiments show that there is indeed an argumentative difference between the quantifiers, and the corpus study points to the discourse factors behind it. In comparison with a few , several is associated with a higher discourse prominence for its complement (greater individuation, significance) and with greater argumentative strength. Based on this data, we characterize the quantifiers’ prototypical discourse profiles. A typical instance of several occurs in persuasive genres, refers to a not-so-small quantity, construes the plural entity as composed of individuated entities, and contributes to a strong argument. A typical instance of a few occurs in non-persuasive genres, denotes a small quantity, construes the entities composing the plural entity as un-individuated, and contributes to a weak or neutral argument

Argumentative · Construal level theory · Epistemology · Individuation · Linguistics · Plural · Discourse Analysis in Language Studies · Language, Discourse, Communication Strategies · Language, Metaphor, and Cognition · Philosophy · Psychology · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access