Parenteza a metatekst

This paper discusses the question of correlations between the terms ‘parenthesis’ and ‘metatext’. To this end, it presents the most signifi cant (syntactic and functional) concepts of parenthesis and issues related to the metatextuality of parenthetical structures. Apart from overview sections, the paper puts forward the author’s own proposition for distinguishing the scope of the term ‘parenthesis’ from that of ‘metatext’ (‘parentheticality’ vs ‘metatextuality’, respectively). It assumes that the essence of parenthesis, unlike metatextuality, is not to comment on the expressions used currently; instead, it is an effect of the speaker’s actions performed on the present statement (cf. the opposition: language tools and actions using such tools). The paper presents also organisation of language expressions (both individual units and entire classes) by their capability to occur in parenthesis (cf. inherently parenthetical elements of the system vs parenthetical usages of language expressions) and fulfi l metatextual functions. It also takes up the question of the infl uence of parenthetical structures on changes in language: with reference to the development of metatextual expressions and their classes as a result of lexicalisation and grammaticalisation processes.