ON COMPOUND CONJUNCTIONS OF RESULTATIVE DENOTATION

Abstract

In this paper, by examining examples from different functional styles and applying the structural-semantic methods and methods of functional-stylistic distribution, we observe the ways of formation of compound conjunctions which in Serbian mark dependent clauses of resultative and relative-resultative type. Unlike the semantic category of cause which is characterized by a very rich and formally variable system of compound conjunctions, the latter system is featured by a rather small inventory of compound conjunctions. There exist two models for formation of the compound conjunctions of the resultative meaning. The first implies the process of intonational unification of cataphorically used pronominal adverb tako (so) and general dependent conjunction da (that), resulting in the compound conjunction tako da (so that) which functions as a conjunction of the general resultative denotation. The second model, the process of merging an adverb or an adverbial phrase with the anaphorical relativizer što (which, that) in genitive form, creates the compound conjunctions zbog čega, usljed čega, na osnovu čega, povodom čega (all approx. therefore) which introduce into the structure of a compound sentence a subordinate clause of the relative-resultative type. Although replaceable with the compound conjunction tako da, these conjunctions are not completely synonymous. While the communicative focus in the sentence with subordinator tako da is on result, in compound sentences with the compound conjunctions zbog čega, usljed čega, na osnovu čega, povodom čega, etc., the referent value is cause, i.e. its subtype (unequivocally designated by the semantics of the preposition or prepositional phrase which form the particular conjunction) which leads to result.