INTENSIFICATION AS A MEANS OF EXPRESSING EVALUATION IN CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37547/Keywords:
intensification, evaluation, appraisal theory, cognitive linguistics, discourse analysis.Abstract
Evaluation is a fundamental interpersonal function of language through which speakers express attitudes, negotiate social relationships, and construct meaning. Intensification plays a central role in this process by reinforcing evaluative meanings, conveying emotional involvement, and expressing speaker stance. While traditionally regarded as a grammatical marker of degree, recent linguistic research recognizes intensification as a multidimensional semantic, pragmatic, and cognitive phenomenon. This article examines intensification as a means of expressing evaluation in contemporary English by integrating semantic theory, Appraisal Theory, Cognitive Linguistics, and corpus-based approaches. The study adopts a qualitative research design supported by corpus evidence from contemporary English. The findings indicate that intensifiers extend beyond scalar modification and function as interpersonal resources that strengthen evaluation, express subjectivity, and enhance persuasive communication. The article argues that evaluative intensification should be understood as a cognitive-pragmatic mechanism through which speakers conceptualize experience and influence audience interpretation.
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