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Types of Modality PDF

This document discusses types of modality. It outlines three main categories: 1) Epistemic modality, which expresses the speaker's opinion or attitude about the truth of a statement. 2) Deontic modality, which is used to affect a situation by giving permission or obligation. 3) Dynamic modality, which does not express opinion or affect situations, but rather describes factual abilities or occurrences. Examples are provided for each type. The document also lists exercises asking the reader to identify the modality in sample sentences.

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Madalina Ionescu
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707 views

Types of Modality PDF

This document discusses types of modality. It outlines three main categories: 1) Epistemic modality, which expresses the speaker's opinion or attitude about the truth of a statement. 2) Deontic modality, which is used to affect a situation by giving permission or obligation. 3) Dynamic modality, which does not express opinion or affect situations, but rather describes factual abilities or occurrences. Examples are provided for each type. The document also lists exercises asking the reader to identify the modality in sample sentences.

Uploaded by

Madalina Ionescu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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TU Chemnitz 07.07.

2006
Faculty of Philosophy
English Linguistics
Seminar: Grammar Workshop
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Josef Schmied
Modality is Everywhere
Speaker: Janine Pecher

Types of Modality

Jakobson‘s Theory/Palmer 1974 Types of Modality


• 3 Categories of modals:
Æ epistemic vs. non-epistemic • 1. Epistemic
Æ non-epistemic = subject-oriented and
discourse-oriented • 2. Deontic
• Subject-oriented: Bill can run a mile in four
minutes. (Talk about the subject) • 3. Dynamic
• Discourse-oriented:
- You may come in. (= I permit you to come in) =
addresser
- May I come in ? (= Do you permit me to come
in?) = addressee

1. Epistemic 1. Epistemic
• From the Greek episteme = knowledge • Impossible: He will not be there
• When a modal verb is used to express the • Improbable: He will probably not be there
speaker's opinion about a statement • Possible: He will possibly be there
• Example: It might be true • Probable: He will probably be there
• = Expressing attitude about whether it is • Certain: He will be there
true or not, accepting that there is a
possibility, but not being certain

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2. Deontic 2. Deontic
• Greek for "duty" • Forbidden: You must not go out
• When a modal verb is used to affect a • Permissible: You may go out
situation, by giving permission, etc • Recommended: You should go out
• Example: You can go when you've finished. • Obligatory: You must go out
• = giving permission to control the situation

3. Dynamic 3. Dynamic
• Dynamic modality does not express the • Ability: I can swim
speaker's opinion, nor does the speaker • Volition: I will go to see Tim
affect the situation:
• Example: He can speak perfect French.
• = describing a factual situation

Exercises Exercises
• 1. He must be back before dark • 5. The bank will give you a new
• 2. The test should not take longer credit card
than 20 minutes • 6. I can ride a bicycle
• 3. Students may use the gym • 7. Bill may work for the BBC
• 4. Tim has to have the right
• 8. The road might be blocked
solution; he is the expert

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Sources
• http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/dyna
mic-modality.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modal_logic

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