Reciprocal Connection in French

Discourse correlations show a reciprocal relation of projection and of presupposition between two segments that are otherwise independent. The connection is said to be marked with reciprocal connectives (RCs). These have three functions: (i) fulfilling the expectation, or carrying the presupposition, opened and required, respectively, by the other RC; (ii) categorizing and delineating a sequence as a member of a whole; (iii) conveying a relation between the members. 100+ authentic examples of correlations in French showing either d’une part ‘on the one hand’, or non seulement ‘not only’, and containing a second member with no connective are analyzed. The results indicate that different features can assume the functions attributed to the RCs. Furthermore, they show that these functions are intricated. Finally, I conclude that the reciprocal connection can be marked through many processes, and that reciprocal connectives are, rather than a process of marking the structure, a process to emphasize its components.