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E
MPHATIC
P
HRASES IN
F
INNISH
L
ITERARY
T
EXTS
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background knowledge, one of the functions of a parenthetical addition
(VISK: §1071). Emphatic phrases necessarily include some affect, which
further supports their inclusion of into parentheses, as this has traditionally
been considered as one of the features of the parenthesis (Ravila 1945: 10).
Moreover, an emphatic phrase functions as a textual space that speakers may
visit in order to observe the action they have taken, which is exactly how
Duvallon – Routarinne (2001: 151) have described the metaphorical nature
of the parenthesis.
2.3. The Positioning of Emphatic Phrases
An emphatic phrase may be positioned in the beginning, middle or end of
a sentence. The parenthetical nature of the emphatic phrase, however, be-
comes questionable, especially at the beginning of a turn, if it cannot be
deemed to interrupt any sentence structure. An emphatic phrase positioned at
the beginning of a sentence prompts the reader to begin deducing what is to
be expected of the rest of the turn and how to react to it, as in example 4.
(4) Juhani.
Jumala paratkoon!
sitähän olemmekin aatelleet ja aprikoinneet
oikein vahvasti ja tulleet ymmärtämään mikä siitä pojat perii. Niin,
niin, peeveli meidät perii, ja sentähden olemme myös valinneet peeve-
lin onnen osan (Kivi 2012: 297).
In this instance, the emphatic phrase influences the constructions that
follow. Its sphere of influence includes the entire sentence, and possibly
continues until the end of the turn.
An emphatic phrase that is positioned in the middle of a sentence or other
construction may comment on the entire sentence; however, the reader re-
ceives an indication as to how to react to its content only in the middle of the
turn. In the middle of a sentence structure, the emphatic phrase serves a
punctuating function and, thus, its affective influence is more forceful in the
middle of a structure than in the beginning. Examples 5 and 6 illustrate this
kind of positioning.
(5) Mutta emme nyt huoli ajatella ensinkään niitä asioita, emme
hiisi vie-
köön
huolikaan, koska meillä kerran on parempiakin tuumittavana.
Niinkuin esimerkiksi tämä koppi. Sanokaas, eikö tämä ole hauska ja
mukava, vai mitä? (SKK: Canth)
(6) „Vai liian vanha?” toisteli hän tuon tuostakin. – „Kyllä minä näytän
niille keltanokille, viikinki-penikoille!” – haukuskeli hän minulle tuon
tuostakin poikiaan. „No, sen minä nyt kyllä huomaan, etten enää voi