Introduction. Semantic-pragmatic change from intersubjective to textual meanings

This introduction presents this volume, explaining how it originated and what issues it intends to tackle. After setting its context and rationale, the theoretical background is discussed, i.e. the tendency of semantic-pragmatic change to be associated with cases of grammaticalization. The specific tendency from (inter)subjective meanings into textual ones is shown to be implied in the very foundations of the line of research inaugurated by Elizabeth Traugott. This volume explores this tendency, bringing together studies on a variety of constructions and in diverse languages, ultimately shedding light on general issues such as the notion of textual meanings and directionality of change.