Based on an investigation of the Old Bailey Corpus, this article explores the development and usage patterns of maximizers in Late Modern English (LModE). The maximizers to be considered for inclusion in the study are based on the lists provided in Quirk et al. (1985) and Huddleston & Pullum (2002). The aims of the study were to (i) document the frequency development of maximizers, (ii) investigate the sociolinguistic embedding of maximizers usage (gender, class) and (iii) analyze the sociopragmatics of maximizers based on the speakers’ roles, such as judge or witness, in the courtroom.Of the eleven maximizer types focused on in the investigation, perfectly and entirely were found to dominate in frequency. The whole group was found to rise over the period 1720 to 1913. In terms of gender, social class and speaker roles, there was variation in the use of maximizers across the different speaker groups. Prominently, defendants, but also judges and lawyers, maximized more than witnesses and victims; further, male speakers and higher-ranking speakers used more maximizers. The results were interpreted taking into account the courtroom context and its dialogue dynamics.

中文翻译：

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完全无辜：老贝利语料库中最大化者的历史社会语用分析

根据一项调查老贝利语料库, 本文探讨了晚期现代英语 (LModE) 中最大化器的开发和使用模式。考虑纳入研究的最大化器基于 Quirk 中提供的列表等。(1985) 和 Huddleston & Pullum (2002)。该研究的目的是（i）记录最大化者的频率发展，（ii）调查最大化者使用（性别，阶级）的社会语言嵌入，以及（iii）根据说话者的角色分析最大化者的社会语用学，例如法庭上的法官或证人。在调查中关注的十一种最大化者类型中，完美和完全被发现在频率上占主导地位。整个群体被发现在 1720 年到 1913 年期间上升。就性别、社会阶层和演讲者角色而言，不同演讲者群体对最大化器的使用存在差异。值得注意的是，被告，还有法官和律师，比证人和受害者更能发挥最大作用；此外，男性演讲者和更高级别的演讲者使用更多的最大化者。对结果的解释考虑了法庭背景及其对话动态。