Subjectification and Intersubjectification

In this entry a diachronic approach to subjectification and intersubjectification is presented. A brief history of approaches to the issues is followed by examples from the histories of English and Japanese. The domains exemplified are expressions of intention and prediction, epistemic assessment, concession, degree modification, attention‐getting, and addressee honorification. The questions what motivates the change processes and how to identify them in texts are addressed and some suggestions for future research are proposed.