De verborgen complexiteit van want/omdat X*

Abstract

In this paper, I analyse the Dutch construction of the type want/omdat X from the perspective of the concept of hidden complexity. I show that while the traditional use of the conjunctions want ‘because’ and omdat ‘because’ followed by an independent or a dependent clause, respectively, is overtly more complex in that it uses more language material, its hidden complexity is low. The constructions of the type want/omdat X, on the other hand, are overtly less complex, but demonstrate a higher degree of hidden complexity. The interpretation of the constructions of this type is namely context-dependent and relies heavily on extralinguistic discursive knowledge on the side of the listener/reader.