The scales of dynamic semantic functions

The analyses of the texts in the introductory chapter and the discussion of the successful competitors of the verb show that, in relation to the information conveyed by the subject, the information conveyed by the verb, or rather by its notional component (see p. 70), participates in the development of the communication in one of two ways. It perspectives the communication either (i) towards the phenomenon presented by the subject, or (ii) towards the quality ascribed to the phenomenon expressed by the subject or beyond this quality towards its specification. In other words, it performs either (i) the dynamic semantic function of presentation (Pr), or (ii) that of expressing a quality (Q). In consequence, the subject either (i) performs the dynamic semantic function of expressing the phenomenon to be presented (Ph), or (ii) the dynamic semantic function of expressing the quality bearer (B). The discussion of the competitors of the verb has dealt with two other dynamic semantic functions: that of expressing a setting (Set) and that of expressing a specification (Sp).

The qualification ‘dynamic’ is necessitated by the fact that the semantic content concerned is not viewed as unrelated to the flow of communication, but as linked with definite contextual conditions and as actively participating in developing the perspective of the communication.