A LOGICAL FRAMEWORK OF MODAL VERBS
A LOGICAL FRAMEWORK OF MODAL VERBS
Author(s): Attila ImreSubject(s): Language studies, Foreign languages learning
Published by: Editura Arhipelag XXI
Keywords: verb system; modality; can; remote pair; core meaning;
Summary/Abstract: The present article discusses a possible logical approach to view the central modal verbs as options to express modality, based on the ground-breaking idea developed by Lewis (1986). The roots may stem from the English verbs system, leading to the closed group of modal verbs and their ‘core’ meaning. While concepts connected to modality are numerous, Palmer’s ‘messy’ definition is reconsidered, making use of terms originating from logic, completed with the latest statistics on modal verb frequency, embedded in a possibly cultural context.
Journal: Studia Universitatis Petru Maior. Philologia
- Issue Year: 2017
- Issue No: 22
- Page Range: 65-73
- Page Count: 9
- Language: English