Oltre la polarità negativa. Il rapporto tra negazione e lessicalizzazione

This paper addresses the highly debated topic of negation from a
non-traditional perspective, which is related to the non-prototypical functions
that negation markers can fulfil in some contexts. The article includes a review
of the main studies devoted to the topic from different theoretical and
methodological perspectives, in order to better clarify the role that negation
markers assume beyond the expression of negative polarity. The close
relationship between negation and lexicalisation, with particular reference to
false negation and its obligatory traits in Italian, is taken into account, as well
as the close relationship between negation and intensification. Finally, the
function of the negation is analysed along a continuum of lexicalisation,
fossilisation, idiomatisation and conventionalisation.