Metatextual operators in the shape of the superlative of adverb

Abstract

It is possible to distinguish in Polish lexical units which are having the shape of the superlative of adverb. They represent classes of metatextual (cf. najnormalniej, najpewniej, najspokojniej, najwidoczniej) or metapredicative (cf. najdalej, najmniej, najwyżej) operators. In this paper the first class of operators is considered. Syntactic features of adverbs and metatextual operators are mutually exclusive. The operators under examination have their counterparts in the shape of the positive in the classes of adverbs as well as particles. However, none of the distinguished operators has counterpart in the shape of the comparative in the class of particles. A metatextual operator - analogically to a particle - opens one position primarily on its right side, for an expression unmarked relative to the degree of complexity. Whereas a superlative of adverb opens two positions the first one for a verb and the second one for a prepositional phrase. In the paper numerous arguments are presented for confirming the hypothesis that lexical units which are having the shape of the superlative of adverb are grammatical homonyms which belong both to adverbs and to particles.