INTERROGATIVE MARKERS IN FICTIONAL DISCOURSE

Abstract

Interrogative sentences are a fundamental part of both spoken and written language, found across all functional styles. Characterised by a complex semantic-syntactic structure and a specific communicative function, they are expressed by various linguistic means, making them a fascinating subject of study for both Ukrainian and Polish researchers.

This article aims to identify the main interrogative markers in literary discourse, using the novel Loneliness in the Network by Janusz Wiśniewski and its translation by I. Kravets as an example.

Interrogative sentences, capable of expressing different types of modality, are present in all linguistic styles. However, they are most diverse in the literary style, which is distinguished by its aesthetic and expressive functions, special imagery, and emotional richness. The literary style employs a wide range of expressive linguistic tools to enhance imagery and emotional impact.

The study revealed that the most frequent means of expression are particles, pronouns, adverbs, and verbs or other words functioning as predicates.

The primary function of interrogative sentences is to elicit a response. However, a significant number of rhetorical questions, characteristic of literary, conversational, and journalistic styles, also play a key role. Since the Ukrainian translation of the novel is often close to a literal one, conclusions can be drawn about the specific functioning of interrogative sentences. Besides the corresponding particles, pronouns, and adverbs, verb-predicates or other predicative lexemes are of particular importance. A significant difference between Ukrainian and Polish interrogative discourse is that in Ukrainian, the logical stress falls on the word that most fully conveys the essence of the question. In contrast, in Polish, in the absence of an interrogative word, the last word in the sentence is highlighted through intonation.