An Approach to the Use of the Spanish Connectors <i>cuando </i>and <i>mientras </i>in Argumentative Contexts

Mariana Morón Usandivaras

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijll.20221003.16

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An Approach to the Use of the Spanish Connectors cuando and mientras in Argumentative Contexts

Mariana Morón Usandivaras

Published in International Journal of Language and Linguistics (Volume 10, Issue 3)

Received: 13 May 2022 Accepted: 28 May 2022 Published: 9 June 2022

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Abstract

This study aims at analysing the differences and similarities in the use of the Spanish temporal connectors cuando (when) and mientras (while) in argumentative discourse contexts, with a special emphasis on their capacity to express semantic values that exceed temporal limits, i.e., cause, consequence, condition, contrast, concession, etc. These semantic relationships have indeed been studied in the clauses introduced by mientras, although they are not usually considered in the clauses preceded by cuando, because it is considered the temporal connector par excellence and, therefore, linguists focus on the different aspect-temporal nuances it can manifest. However, as I have shown in a previous research, cuando can also manifest rhetorical values in certain contexts. As expressed in the Prototypical Cognitive Approach (PCA), we understand that grammar emerges from discourse, imposing a usage-based approach within the situational and discourse context. We consider the speaker always selects a given form of speech instead of another and, consequently, this is a significant choice. Therefore, we are starting from the assumption that cuando and mientras are used in different discourse contexts to express different meanings. Hence, a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the use of these two connectors will be carried out on the bases of the two argumentative texts De la anarquía y sus dos causas principales by Juan Bautista Alberdi and the genetic edition on Alberdi´s text El crimen de la guerra by Lois. Qualitative parameters selected are the following: (a) context of the discourse fragment, (b) distribution of information, (c) temporal relationship between the connected clauses, (d) rhetoric values between the clauses, (e) position of the clause introduced by the temporal connector (f) changes in tense, aspect and/or mood between the connected clauses. The results of this analysis, coincidentally with Spanish grammars, indicate that cuando is a connector positioned in the centre of the category of temporal relationships since it prefers narrative contexts and expresses a pure temporality; whereas mientras is found in the category periphery or departs from that centre and is preferably used in contexts of hybrid temporality.

Published in	International Journal of Language and Linguistics (Volume 10, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijll.20221003.16
Page(s)	206-215
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Temporal Clauses, Argumentative Discourse, Cognitive Lingüistics, Cuando (When), Mientras (While)

References

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Mariana Morón Usandivaras. (2022). An Approach to the Use of the Spanish Connectors cuando and mientras in Argumentative Contexts. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 10(3), 206-215. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20221003.16

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Mariana Morón Usandivaras. An Approach to the Use of the Spanish Connectors cuando and mientras in Argumentative Contexts. Int. J. Lang. Linguist. 2022, 10(3), 206-215. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20221003.16

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AMA Style

Mariana Morón Usandivaras. An Approach to the Use of the Spanish Connectors cuando and mientras in Argumentative Contexts. Int J Lang Linguist. 2022;10(3):206-215. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20221003.16

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@article{10.11648/j.ijll.20221003.16,
  author = {Mariana Morón Usandivaras},
  title = {An Approach to the Use of the Spanish Connectors cuando and mientras in Argumentative Contexts},
  journal = {International Journal of Language and Linguistics},
  volume = {10},
  number = {3},
  pages = {206-215},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijll.20221003.16},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20221003.16},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijll.20221003.16},
  abstract = {This study aims at analysing the differences and similarities in the use of the Spanish temporal connectors cuando (when) and mientras (while) in argumentative discourse contexts, with a special emphasis on their capacity to express semantic values that exceed temporal limits, i.e., cause, consequence, condition, contrast, concession, etc. These semantic relationships have indeed been studied in the clauses introduced by mientras, although they are not usually considered in the clauses preceded by cuando, because it is considered the temporal connector par excellence and, therefore, linguists focus on the different aspect-temporal nuances it can manifest. However, as I have shown in a previous research, cuando can also manifest rhetorical values in certain contexts. As expressed in the Prototypical Cognitive Approach (PCA), we understand that grammar emerges from discourse, imposing a usage-based approach within the situational and discourse context. We consider the speaker always selects a given form of speech instead of another and, consequently, this is a significant choice. Therefore, we are starting from the assumption that cuando and mientras are used in different discourse contexts to express different meanings. Hence, a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the use of these two connectors will be carried out on the bases of the two argumentative texts De la anarquía y sus dos causas principales by Juan Bautista Alberdi and the genetic edition on Alberdi´s text El crimen de la guerra by Lois. Qualitative parameters selected are the following: (a) context of the discourse fragment, (b) distribution of information, (c) temporal relationship between the connected clauses, (d) rhetoric values between the clauses, (e) position of the clause introduced by the temporal connector (f) changes in tense, aspect and/or mood between the connected clauses. The results of this analysis, coincidentally with Spanish grammars, indicate that cuando is a connector positioned in the centre of the category of temporal relationships since it prefers narrative contexts and expresses a pure temporality; whereas mientras is found in the category periphery or departs from that centre and is preferably used in contexts of hybrid temporality.},
 year = {2022}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - An Approach to the Use of the Spanish Connectors cuando and mientras in Argumentative Contexts
AU  - Mariana Morón Usandivaras
Y1  - 2022/06/09
PY  - 2022
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DO  - 10.11648/j.ijll.20221003.16
T2  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JF  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JO  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
SP  - 206
EP  - 215
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-0221
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20221003.16
AB  - This study aims at analysing the differences and similarities in the use of the Spanish temporal connectors cuando (when) and mientras (while) in argumentative discourse contexts, with a special emphasis on their capacity to express semantic values that exceed temporal limits, i.e., cause, consequence, condition, contrast, concession, etc. These semantic relationships have indeed been studied in the clauses introduced by mientras, although they are not usually considered in the clauses preceded by cuando, because it is considered the temporal connector par excellence and, therefore, linguists focus on the different aspect-temporal nuances it can manifest. However, as I have shown in a previous research, cuando can also manifest rhetorical values in certain contexts. As expressed in the Prototypical Cognitive Approach (PCA), we understand that grammar emerges from discourse, imposing a usage-based approach within the situational and discourse context. We consider the speaker always selects a given form of speech instead of another and, consequently, this is a significant choice. Therefore, we are starting from the assumption that cuando and mientras are used in different discourse contexts to express different meanings. Hence, a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the use of these two connectors will be carried out on the bases of the two argumentative texts De la anarquía y sus dos causas principales by Juan Bautista Alberdi and the genetic edition on Alberdi´s text El crimen de la guerra by Lois. Qualitative parameters selected are the following: (a) context of the discourse fragment, (b) distribution of information, (c) temporal relationship between the connected clauses, (d) rhetoric values between the clauses, (e) position of the clause introduced by the temporal connector (f) changes in tense, aspect and/or mood between the connected clauses. The results of this analysis, coincidentally with Spanish grammars, indicate that cuando is a connector positioned in the centre of the category of temporal relationships since it prefers narrative contexts and expresses a pure temporality; whereas mientras is found in the category periphery or departs from that centre and is preferably used in contexts of hybrid temporality.
VL  - 10
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Author Information

Mariana Morón Usandivaras

Department of Letters, Faculty of Humanities, National University of Salta, Salta, Argentina

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Mariana Morón Usandivaras. (2022). An Approach to the Use of the Spanish Connectors cuando and mientras in Argumentative Contexts. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 10(3), 206-215. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20221003.16

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Mariana Morón Usandivaras. An Approach to the Use of the Spanish Connectors cuando and mientras in Argumentative Contexts. Int. J. Lang. Linguist. 2022, 10(3), 206-215. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20221003.16

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AMA Style

Mariana Morón Usandivaras. An Approach to the Use of the Spanish Connectors cuando and mientras in Argumentative Contexts. Int J Lang Linguist. 2022;10(3):206-215. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20221003.16

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@article{10.11648/j.ijll.20221003.16,
  author = {Mariana Morón Usandivaras},
  title = {An Approach to the Use of the Spanish Connectors cuando and mientras in Argumentative Contexts},
  journal = {International Journal of Language and Linguistics},
  volume = {10},
  number = {3},
  pages = {206-215},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijll.20221003.16},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20221003.16},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijll.20221003.16},
  abstract = {This study aims at analysing the differences and similarities in the use of the Spanish temporal connectors cuando (when) and mientras (while) in argumentative discourse contexts, with a special emphasis on their capacity to express semantic values that exceed temporal limits, i.e., cause, consequence, condition, contrast, concession, etc. These semantic relationships have indeed been studied in the clauses introduced by mientras, although they are not usually considered in the clauses preceded by cuando, because it is considered the temporal connector par excellence and, therefore, linguists focus on the different aspect-temporal nuances it can manifest. However, as I have shown in a previous research, cuando can also manifest rhetorical values in certain contexts. As expressed in the Prototypical Cognitive Approach (PCA), we understand that grammar emerges from discourse, imposing a usage-based approach within the situational and discourse context. We consider the speaker always selects a given form of speech instead of another and, consequently, this is a significant choice. Therefore, we are starting from the assumption that cuando and mientras are used in different discourse contexts to express different meanings. Hence, a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the use of these two connectors will be carried out on the bases of the two argumentative texts De la anarquía y sus dos causas principales by Juan Bautista Alberdi and the genetic edition on Alberdi´s text El crimen de la guerra by Lois. Qualitative parameters selected are the following: (a) context of the discourse fragment, (b) distribution of information, (c) temporal relationship between the connected clauses, (d) rhetoric values between the clauses, (e) position of the clause introduced by the temporal connector (f) changes in tense, aspect and/or mood between the connected clauses. The results of this analysis, coincidentally with Spanish grammars, indicate that cuando is a connector positioned in the centre of the category of temporal relationships since it prefers narrative contexts and expresses a pure temporality; whereas mientras is found in the category periphery or departs from that centre and is preferably used in contexts of hybrid temporality.},
 year = {2022}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - An Approach to the Use of the Spanish Connectors cuando and mientras in Argumentative Contexts
AU  - Mariana Morón Usandivaras
Y1  - 2022/06/09
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20221003.16
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijll.20221003.16
T2  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JF  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JO  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
SP  - 206
EP  - 215
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-0221
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20221003.16
AB  - This study aims at analysing the differences and similarities in the use of the Spanish temporal connectors cuando (when) and mientras (while) in argumentative discourse contexts, with a special emphasis on their capacity to express semantic values that exceed temporal limits, i.e., cause, consequence, condition, contrast, concession, etc. These semantic relationships have indeed been studied in the clauses introduced by mientras, although they are not usually considered in the clauses preceded by cuando, because it is considered the temporal connector par excellence and, therefore, linguists focus on the different aspect-temporal nuances it can manifest. However, as I have shown in a previous research, cuando can also manifest rhetorical values in certain contexts. As expressed in the Prototypical Cognitive Approach (PCA), we understand that grammar emerges from discourse, imposing a usage-based approach within the situational and discourse context. We consider the speaker always selects a given form of speech instead of another and, consequently, this is a significant choice. Therefore, we are starting from the assumption that cuando and mientras are used in different discourse contexts to express different meanings. Hence, a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the use of these two connectors will be carried out on the bases of the two argumentative texts De la anarquía y sus dos causas principales by Juan Bautista Alberdi and the genetic edition on Alberdi´s text El crimen de la guerra by Lois. Qualitative parameters selected are the following: (a) context of the discourse fragment, (b) distribution of information, (c) temporal relationship between the connected clauses, (d) rhetoric values between the clauses, (e) position of the clause introduced by the temporal connector (f) changes in tense, aspect and/or mood between the connected clauses. The results of this analysis, coincidentally with Spanish grammars, indicate that cuando is a connector positioned in the centre of the category of temporal relationships since it prefers narrative contexts and expresses a pure temporality; whereas mientras is found in the category periphery or departs from that centre and is preferably used in contexts of hybrid temporality.
VL  - 10
IS  - 3
ER  -

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