Presupposition - an example analysis
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| "Barclays Worldwide" is a glossy, four-monthly newsletter for clients of Barclays bank who live outside the UK. The 1998 summer-issue of the magazine ran a feature (pp. 2-3) on the introduction of the Euro, titled "Euro Update - Your questions answered". |
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| Excerpt: | |||
| The last-but-one paragraph in the article reads as follows: |
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| Comments & analysis: | |||
| First of all, it can be observed that an utterance almost necessarily presupposes the negation of its opposites. Hence, will not join during the lifetime of this parliament presupposes that Britain may join in the lifetime of a future parliament. Similarly, in advance of the UK joining presupposes that the UK has not joined so far. But, there is more.
Even though the text excerpt stresses Britain's freedom to join the European Monetary Union (it is subject to a political decision), it is clear that Barclays Bank welcomes the idea of Britain adopting the Euro. Note in this respect how the use of the wording in advance of the UK joining also presupposes that the UK will eventually join the other countries and introduce the Euro as its currency. Of course, this claim is contentious and premature. It fits in a type of rhetoric which one often comes across in discourses of finance. Underlying it, is an expression of confidence that the "right" actions will be taken in the future. Had the text instead read, until decided otherwise, the sentence would not have carried the same presuppositions. Note, finally, how Barclays tactically counterbalances its commitment to the Euro, by means of a carefully-expressed appreciation of the value of sterling, viz. the use of the positive attribute, distinct identity, and the identification of sterling as a currency of choice in the face of competition with the Euro. A move to please the Euro-sceptics in the audience? |
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