Semantics and syntax of the Polish predicate "ale"

Abstract

Polish ale appears in two different contexts with two different functions: 1. as predicate with two arguments, +/- the equivalent of the English but and 2. as predicate with one argument, +/- the equivalent of the English interjection ‘what a...!’. The fact that mutatis mutandis the same two functions has Macedonian ама suggests that we are dealing here with a specific Slavic development.