A Theoretical and Descriptive Study on Subjectification and Intersubjectification

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This research investigated the validity of the theory of semantic change proposed by Traugott and her colleagues, who maintained that meaning changes from non-/less subjective to subjective to intersubjective. It also examined factors involved in the development of subjective and intersubjective meaning. Synchronic as well as diachronic analysis was conducted on English intensifier phrases, such as "all you want" and "big time" and constructions, such as "having said that." Examples were collected from COCA and COHA.Consequently, this research found that (inter)subjective meaning had to be defined in terms of "semanticization" and attested Traugott's theory of unidirectionality of semantic change. The development from subjective into intersubjective meaning was found to be motivated by the fact that subjective meaning is associated with propositional content while intersubjective meaning is oriented toward interpersonal relation and discourse management.