The contribution of nonveridical rhetorical relations to evaluation in discourse

We examine how nonveridical markers and rhetorical relations contribute to the expression of Appraisal (evaluation) in discourse. First, we define nonveridicality and nonveridical contexts, following Giannakidou (Polarity Sensitivity as (Non)Veridical Dependency. John Benjamins, Amsterdam, 1998). We then relate nonveridicality to modality, Appraisal and rhetorical relations, and present a map of all these concepts. Finally, we carry out a corpus study, where we examine all types of nonveridicality markers in the context of two different types of rhetorical relations, conditional and concessive relations, and how they influence the interpretation of some aspects of Appraisal.

► We examine the impact of nonveridicality and coherence on evaluation in discourse. ► We analyze two types of coherence relations—concessives and conditionals. ► The impact that nonveridicality and coherence have is on the polarity of evaluation. ► Nonveridical elements in the majority of cases modify polarity at the clausal level. ► Coherence relations derive the changes from the combination of two or more clauses.