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

| Peer-Reviewed

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

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

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), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

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

References

[1]	Lakoff, G. (1987). Women, fire and dangerous things. Chicago: Chicago University Press.
[2]	Langacker, R. (2008). Cognitive Grammar. A Basic Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
[3]	Borzi, C. (2021). Enfoque Cognitivo Prototípico y complejidad textual [Prototypical Cognitive Approach and textual complexity]. In Loureda, O. & A. Schrott (coords.), Manual de Lingüistica del hablar. Berlin: W. de Gruyter, 461-480.
[4]	Narbona Jiménez, A. (1989). Las subordinadas impropias en español. Bases para su estudio [Improper subordinates in Spanish. Bases for its study]. Málaga: Ágora.
[5]	Borzi, C. (2001). Coordinación y subordinación: zonas de una ojiva [Coordination and subordination: zones of a warhead shaped bow]. In E. N. de Arnoux y A. Di Tullio (eds.), Volumen Homenaje a Ofelia Kovacci. Buenos Aires: EUDEBA, 91-112.
[6]	Morón Usandivaras, M. (2015). La expresión de la causa en el discurso alberdiano. Las cláusulas causales introducidas por “porque”, “pues” y “como” [The expression of the cause in the Alberdian discourse. The causal clauses introduced by "porque (because)", "pues (since)" and "como (as)"]. Munich: LINCOM academic publishers.
[7]	Rubio, J. C. & R. Gauchola (2002). El proceso de subjetivización en la subordinación temporal: el caso de mientras-mientras que [The process of subjectivization in temporal subordination: the case of mientras (while) and mientras que (meanwhile, while o whilst)]. Función, 25-26, 113-157.
[8]	Eberenz, R. (1982). Las conjunciones temporales del español [Spanish temporal conjunctions]. Boletín de la Real Academia Española, T. 62, Cuaderno 26, 289-386.
[9]	García Medall, J. (1995). Conjunciones temporales y aspect [Temporal conjunctions and aspect]. Moenia, I, 219-249.
[10]	Rodríguez Barreiro, A. (2003). La clasificación de los nexos aspecto-temporales del español en algunos estudios gramaticales [The classification of the Spanish aspect-temporal conjunctions in some grammatical studies]. Moenia: Revista Lucense de lingüística & literature, 9, 325-338.
[11]	Morón Usandivaras, M. (2022). Valores retóricos de cuando [rhetorical values of cuando (when)]. In Collado, A. (ed.). Discurso y Gramática Cognitiva; estudios de perfilamientos lingüísticos. San Juan, Editorial de la UNSJ.
[12]	Hopper, P. (1998). Emergent Grammar and the A Priori Grammar Postulate. En D. Tannen (ed.), Linguistics in Context: Connective Observation and Understanding. Ablex: Norwood, 5, 117-134.
[13]	Diver, W. (1995). Theory. En E. Contini-Morava y B. S. Goldberg (eds.), Meaning as Explanation: Advances in Linguistic Sign Theory. W. de Gruyter, 43-114.
[14]	de Jonge, B. (2000). Estudio analítico del signo lingüístico: teoría y descripción [Analytical study of the linguistic sign: theory and description]. Revista Hispánica de los Países Bajos, 17, 7-14.
[15]	Contini-Morava E. (1995). Introduction: On linguistic sign theory. In E. Contini-Morava y B. S. Goldberg (eds.), Meaning as Explanation: Advances in Linguistic Sign Theory. Berlin: W. de Gruyter, 1-39.
[16]	GARCÍA, E. (2009). The Motivated Syntax of Arbitrary Signs. Cognitive constraints on Spanish clitic clustering. Amsterdam / Philadelphia: John Benjamins.
[17]	Rosch, E. (1978). Principles of Categorization. In E. Rosch y B. B. Lloyd (eds.), Cognition and categorization. Hillsdale: Laurence Elbaum Associates, 27-48.
[18]	Alarcos Llorach, E. (1994). Gramática de la lengua Española [Grammar of the Spanish language]. Madrid: Espasa Calpe.
[19]	García Fernández, L. (2000[1999]. Los complementos adverbiales temporales. La subordinación temporal [Temporal adverbial complements. The temporal subordination]. In I. Bosque y V. Demonte (eds.), Gramática descriptiva de la lengua Española, vol. II. Madrid: Espasa Calpe, 3129-3207.
[20]	Veiga, A. y Mosteiro Louzao, M. (2006). El modo verbal en las cláusulas temporales [Verb mood in temporal clauses]. In El modo verbal en cláusulas condicionales, causales, consecutivas, concesivas, finales y adevrbiales de lugar, tiempo y modo. Salamanca, Ediciones de la Universidad de Salamanca, 345-417.
[21]	Real Academia Española (2009). Nueva Gramática de la Lengua Española [New grammar of the Spanish language]. Madrid: Espasa.
[22]	Alberdi, J. B. (2007). El crimen de la Guerra [The war crime]. Ed. crítico-genética presentada, establecida y anotada por É. Lois. Buenos Aires: UNSAM Edita.
[23]	Alberdi, J. B. (1862). De la anarquía y sus dos causas principales en la República Argentina con motivo de su reorganización por Buenos Aires [About anarchy and its two main causes in the Argentine Republic on the occasion of its reorganization by Buenos Aires]. París: Besanzón.
[24]	Van Dijk, T. A. (1980). Macroestructures. An Interdisciplinary Study of Global Structures in Discourse, Interaction and Cognition. Hillsdale: N. J. Erlbaum Associates Publishers.
[25]	Van Eemeren, F. y R. Grootendosrt (2011 [2003]). Una teoría sistemática de la argumentación. La perspectiva pragmadialéctica [A Systematic Theory of Argumentation. The Pragma-dialectical Approach]. Buenos Aires: Editorial Biblos.
[26]	Danês, F (1974). Functional sentence perspective and the organization of the text. Janua Linguarun. Studia memoriae Nicolai Van Wijk dedicate, 147, 106-123.
[27]	Firbas, J. (1992). Functional Sentence Perspective in Written and Spoken Communication. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
[28]	Leonetti, M. & V. Escandell Vidal (coords.) (2021). La estructura informativa [The informative structure]. Visor: Madrid.
[29]	Guerrero, L. (2021). La posición de las cláusulas temporales con cuando [The position of temporal cuando (when) clauses]. Anuario de Letras. Lingüística y Filología, IX, 7-41.
[30]	Weinreich, H. (1968). Estructura y función de los tiempos en el lenguaje [Structure and function of tenses in language]. Madrid: Gredos.
[31]	Benveniste, E. (1959). Les relations de temps dans le verbe français [Time relations in the French verb]. Bulletin de la Société de Linguistique de Paris, 54, 69-82.
[32]	Borzi, C. (2002). Propuesta cognitiva para la distribución del modo en español [Cognitive proposal for the distribution of the mode in Spanish verbs].In “V Jornadas de la Lengua. Lenguas en contacto: lengua materna, segundas lenguas y lenguas extranjeras”. Ponencia. Buenos Aires, 9-11 de octubre de 2002. Universidad del Salvador.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

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

Copy | Download

ACS 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

Copy | Download

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

Copy | Download

@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  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Mariana Morón Usandivaras

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

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

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

Copy | Download

ACS 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

Copy | Download

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

Copy | Download

@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  -

Copy | Download