The compound-complex super-clausal unit is one that extends beyond the boundaries of grammar and moves toward text linguistics. The article begins by delimiting the basic concepts. It defines the concept of compound-complex super-clausal unit from its initial capital letter to its terminal punctuation. Such a whole has three or more clauses, at least one of which is not in a semantic-syntactic relationship. The asyndetic composite sentence and the asyndetic attachment of single-member verbless clauses are tanalysed. Then the concepts of semi-dependent clause, parenthesis and relational modality are delimited. The core of the article is a classification of semi-dependent and parenthetic clauses, the juxtaposition of declarative clauses and the juxtaposition of clauses of different relational modality in. compound-complex super-clausal units. This analysis is based on the material from contemporary Czech prose.
In Czech linguistics research, semi-subordinate clauses, which are typical for spoken Czech, are most often classified as a type of parenthesis, while in the research conducted abroad they are connected with the issue of evidentiality. In this article, they are delimited as sentences restricting the validity of the content of the main clause, in transition between determination and parenthesis. These clauses are among the means of text construction. Semi-subordinate clauses have three traits: non-integration into another clause as its clause element, the trait of commenting on another clause (the second level in complex sentence is created by these traits) and the presence of a subordinating connective. In the first stage of classification, clauses with conditional, limitation and purpose adverbial conjunctions are analysed. In the second stage, they are classified based on whether they comment on the whole main clause, or (rarely) only an element of it. In commenting on the whole main clauses, their attitude type, having a subjectifying character, and the stylization type of commenting are distinguished. In the attitude type, epistemic modality in particular is explained.
The article discusses the origin, occurrence and use of terms referring to syntactic phenomena marked by a lower level of their categorical specialization. While the terms polosponové sloveso (‘semi-copula’) and polopredikativní konstrukce (‘semi-predicative construction’) can be considered as traditional, the term polovedlejší věta (‘semi-subordinate clause ’) was introduced relatively recently. All of these polo- terms have in common their not entirely clear conceptual background, as well as the fact that they refer to a wide and diverse range of phenomena in Czech syntactic treatises. The present article suggests terminological simplification based on formal, propositional and pragmatic criteria.
The concept of the complex sentence element (clause) is anchored in the formalsemantic level description. This description follows up on the classical approach, from form to meaning, but is based on K. Svoboda’s original concept of the complex sentence, among others. The concept of the complex sentence element on the level of complex sentence elements corresponds to the concept of the verbal clause as a complex unit on the lower sentence-element level. Like in phonology, certain traits, namely those of the complex sentence elements, are delimited as binary oppositions: subordinating – coordinating connective, incorporation by determination or apposition – disincorporation by coordination or parenthesis, commenting – lack of commenting. The focus of the article lies in the classification of complex sentence elements into nine types based on the combinations of the traits mentioned above. In one center of the system of these elements, there is a traditional subordinate clause, the subordinate clause with restricted determination, semi-subordinate clause, and false subordinate clause stand further from it. The second center is formed by the traditional main clause, to which the main clause with restricted coordination and the main clause with determination are attached. The periphery of the system is formed by the appositional subordinate and appositional coordinate clause.
The concept and term polovedlejší věta (‘semi-subordinate clause’) is theoretically anchored in the formal-semantic level description of the language system. This description has been methodologically inspired by the distinctive features of the Prague Linguistic Circle phonology. Based on three features (subordinator, parenthesis, commenting), the semi-subordinate clause, by which the speaker comments on another clause, is delimited within this descriptive framework. Semi-subordinate clauses are unambiguously identifiable using a test of reversed relationship of clauses, cf. Jak vidím, jste soukromý detektiv ‘As I see, you are a private detective’ → Vidím, že jste soukromý detektiv ‘I (can) see that you are a private detective.’ The main section of the article is formed by a classification of semi-subordinate clauses in several parts. The first part is based on the classification according to subordinators: the centre of the system of semi-subordinate clauses is formed by clauses introduced by the relative pronominal adverb jak. Clauses with the relative consequential pronoun což and clauses with the relative introducing pronoun co are on the periphery. Clauses with conjunctions (jestli and its variants, and pokud and aby) lie between the centre and the periphery. The second part differentiates between attitude and stylization clauses. In the conclusion, the term semi-subordinate clause, reflecting a specific semi-category, is explained, and defended.
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