Abstract
The study focuses on the communication-oriented analysis and interpretation of semantic and communicative (illocutive) functions of the Slovak conjunction kým [‘while’]. Research is based on the text material of the Slovak National Corpus containing synchronic dynamics of the sentence in which the conjunction kým [‘while’] expresses temporal and/or contrastive meanings. Kým [‘while’] is understood as a poly-semantic and poly-functional word which forms relations of limitative, successive, simultaneous and contrastive-simultaneous coincidence between an independent clause (P) and a whileclause (Q). Regarding the semantic functions of the conjunction, the study also discusses the function of temporal and pragmatic collocations, and complementary and competitive use of synonymous conjunctions. It verifies the connections between the actual dispositions of the conjunction kým [‘while’] and a dialogic or narrative interpretation, the choice of perspective and the sentence order. A part of the study presents the use of the conjunction kým [‘while’] in the communicative functions of assertion, direction, interrogation, satisfaction, commission and admonition. It demonstrates the dominance of illocutions which are based on the negative life experience of a speaker