This introductory paper sets the scene for the present double special issue on degree phenomena. Besides introducing the individual contributions, it positions degree in the overlapping fields of intensity, focus and emphasis. It outlines the wide-ranging means of expressing degree, their possible categorizations, as well as the many-fold uses of intensification with respect to involvement, politeness, evaluation, emotive expression and persuasion. It also decribes the many angles from which degree features have been studied as extending across, e.g., (historical) sociolinguistics, (historical) pragmatics, and grammaticalization.

中文翻译：

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英语历史中的学位和相关现象：用法和变化途径的证据

本介绍性论文为当前关于度现象的双重特刊奠定了基础。除了介绍个人贡献外，它还将程度定位在强度，重点和重点的重叠领域。它概述了表达程度的广泛手段，其可能的分类，以及在参与，礼貌，评价，情感表达和说服力方面强化的多种用途。它也描述了许多角度，从这些角度研究了程度特征，例如（历史的）社会语言学，（历史的）语用学和语法化。