Objections about the nonclassification of the verb “want” as a modal in albanian grammars Cover Image
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Vërejtje mbi mosklasifikimin e foljes “dua” si folje me vlerë modale në gramatikat shqipe
Objections about the nonclassification of the verb “want” as a modal in albanian grammars

Author(s): Ina Arapi
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies
Published by: Qendra e Studimeve Albanologjike
Keywords: Objections ; nonclassification of the verb “want” ; albanian grammar; Albanian Philology

Summary/Abstract: In the article the author expresses her disagreement with the fact that in the Albanian grammar books of Albanian the verb ‘dua’ is not treated as a modal verb and points out that the syntactical features can not serve as a criterion to determine the modality of this verb. The modality of a verb, e. g. the ability of a verb to express modality, stems first of all from its semantics, in other words the verb does not only denote an action, but also the speaker’s attitude towards the action denoted by the main verb modifying its meaning. Concretely speaking, by means of the verb ‘dua’ the speaker can present the action denoted by the verb dependent on it as desirable, likeable or acceptable. Therefore like all the other modal verbs, when not used with an independent meaning, the verb ‘dua’ can not perform the role of the predicate of a sentence without being complemented by another verb in subjunctive or infinitive, forming a single semantic unit with the verb it modifies. The author also tries to support this view with evidence and above all with the way the verb ‘dua’ is treated in foreign grammar books such as in some of the Romanian and Italian languages, as well as in the grammar book of Albanian by O. Buchholz and W. Fiefler and the DUDEN grammar book of German. Based on what these books say about this verb, the author maintains that the verb ‘dua’ must be considered as a modal verb in Albanian too. A middle attitude needs to be kept towards this verb. Thus, if the verb ‘dua’ and the subjunctive or infinitives dependent on it have the same subject, the phrase consisting of them should be considered as a single semantic and syntactical unit known as a composite predicate: Dua (që) të vij edhe unë në kinema / geg. Du(e) me ardh ene un n kinema. On the other hand if the verb ‘dua’ and the subjunctive or infinitives subordinate to it have different subjects, then we can speak of a complex sentence with a subordinate object clause: Dua që të vish edhe ti në kinema / geg. Du(e) me ardh ene ti n kinema. The article also highlights the frequent use in the Geg variant of the Albanian language of the verb ‘dua’ followed by the infinitive, as a semiauxiliary verb that expresses the manner in which an action is performed. In this variant the phrase ‘dua + the infinitive characteristic of the Geg variant’ has a meaning similar to phrases like ‘... është duke (be doing)... ... ’ or ‘... është gati për të (is about to)...’ and is synonymous to analytical forms like ‘jam duke larë (be washing)’ or ‘po + Simple Present / Present Continuous of the Declarative Mood. This usage of the verb ‘dua’ is witnessed in the works of the Old Writers. Below is an example by Buzuku: E grishnë shokëtë qi ishnjinë me tjetërët barkëzë, me ndimuom. E erdhnë, e mbushnë të dy barkëtë, aqë sa duojnë me votë n fond (Buzuku 1968 II: 281).

  • Issue Year: 2009
  • Issue No: 01-02
  • Page Range: 195-205
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: Albanian