From discourse to grammar

Abstract

This article deals with discourse functions of the Spanish scalar particle incluso in interaction with a si conditional. It will be shown that scalar properties of incluso require paying attention not only to its focus and scope, but also to its argumentative function and discourse structure. Thus, three main discourse functions are proposed for incluso when it appears with a si construction: co-argumentation, co-argumentation with a concessive sense, and counter-argumentation. Among these values, the latter constitutes a scalar concessive conditional. More generally, this article may shed light to understand how concessive conditionals work, and it may provide evidence for some controversial questions about the category.