Abstract
The present paper investigates the syntactic and semiotic status of direct quotes, using examples mainly from French. Their status as both direct objects and subordinate clauses has frequently been questioned in the literature. I propose that, although it is necessary to make a distinction between 'canonical', i.e. syntactically dependent, direct reports and 'free' direct reports, the above-mentioned controversy is based on a insufficient consideration of the data, and that the crucial difference between direct and indirect speech is not of a syntactic nature, but is a difference in semiotic status, direct quotes representing a fully grammaticalized form of code-switching. Finally, I argue that a semiotically-oriented grammar is needed to account adequately for the form and meaning of direct quotation. © The Philological Society 2000.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 281-322 |
| Number of pages | 41 |
| Journal | Transactions of the Philological Society |
| Volume | 98 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 2000 |