Metadiscoursive uses of the exhortative forms no digamos, digamos and que digamos

Abstract

This paper deals with the metadiscoursive usage of the exhortative forms no

digamos, digamos and que digamos. These uses are the result of different

stages in the process of lexical fixation and grammaticalization leading to

the formation of genuine discourse markers. On the other hand, the forms

analysed, which are typical of both the spoken and the written language,

are linked to the expression of politeness and illustrate two basic strategies

of modality such as intensification and hedging.