Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The article examines in detail the concept of modality as an important linguistic category used to express possibility, necessity, and obligation in speech. Modality allows the speaker or author to convey their attitude to events, the probability that something will happen, or the obligation to perform certain actions. The article examines different types of modality, namely: epistemic (expresses a judgement about the possibility that something is or is not true), deontic (relating to obligations, permissions, and promises), and dynamic (which reflects the ability or desire of the speaker to perform actions). Considerable attention is paid to modality classifications proposed by various scientists. In particular, Jespersen's classification is presented, which distinguishes twenty modality subcategories related to the speaker's attitude to the content of the sentence. Von Wrigt's classification is also considered, which distinguishes four main types of modality: alethic (modality of truth), epistemic (modality of knowledge), deontic (modality of obligations), and existential (modality of existence). It is noted that most modern scientists consider three types of modality: epistemic modality, deontic modality, and dynamic modality. It is noted that some researchers distinguish between different types of modal values, in particular aletic modality, epistemic modality, deontic modality, bullet modality, circumstantial modality, and teleological modality. In addition, the article analyses how modality is conveyed by means of expressing modality, in particular modal verbs (for example, can, must, may), semi-modal verbs (for example, need, dare, ought to), as well as modal adjectives and adverbs (for example, possible, probable, definitely, maybe). The article provides examples of the use of these devices, explaining what they mean in a sentence and how they affect the expression of confidence, commitment, permission, and personal ability in both every day and formal speech. It was determined that modality is not only a subjective reflection of the speaker's attitude toward events but also an objective reflection of conditions and opportunities. Thus, modality in language serves as an important communication tool that allows accurate transmission of the categories of expectation, probability, and obligation.
Source: Молодий вчений
Authors: Вікторія Киливник, Вікторія Гикава
Language: English
Subfield: Language and Linguistics
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4405733539