intensifiques

Intensifiques is a term used in linguistics to describe a category of devices that increase perceived intensity in discourse. The term has appeared in theoretical discussions since the late 2010s and is not universally standardized; scholars use it to distinguish mechanisms that amplify meaning from ordinary modifiers.

Intensifiques are typically described as comprising three broad families: lexical, syntactic, and prosodic intensification. Lexical intensifiers are explicit words such as extremely, absolutely, and totally in English, or vraiment and entièrement in French, that raise the strength of a predicate. Syntactic intensification involves structural patterns that boost emphasis through word order, repetition, or enhanced clause construction (for example, double modifiers or extraposed constructions). Prosodic intensification relies on vocal features—pitch, tempo, loudness—that augment impact in speech or performance.

Cross-linguistically, intensifiques are observed as parallel processes in many languages, though devices differ. They are discussed in areas such as discourse analysis, rhetoric, advertising, and media linguistics to understand how speakers negotiate emphasis and stance.

Critics argue that the category overlaps with established concepts like intensifiers and discourse markers, and the lack of strict boundaries can hinder empirical work. Some scholars call for more precise typologies and larger, cross-linguistic corpora to evaluate the validity of the concept.

See also: intensifier, intensification, rhetoric, discourse marker.