The modal verbs can and may in English and Spanish

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Drama, Anthologies
Cover of the book The modal verbs can and may in English and Spanish by Andra Stefanescu, GRIN Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Andra Stefanescu ISBN: 9783638054690
Publisher: GRIN Publishing Publication: May 28, 2008
Imprint: GRIN Publishing Language: English
Author: Andra Stefanescu
ISBN: 9783638054690
Publisher: GRIN Publishing
Publication: May 28, 2008
Imprint: GRIN Publishing
Language: English

Diploma Thesis from the year 2007 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics, grade: 1, University of Bucharest (Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures), 45 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: Modality is a semantic concept that covers notions such as possibility, probability, permission, ability, volition, necessity and obligation. The class of modals is in many languages both syntactically and semantically highly irregular and unpredictable: modals frequently have idiosyncratic conjugational patterns and are subject to highly specialized syntactic rules. One of the main characteristic of modal verbs is their relatively imprecise and indeterminate meaning, their ambiguity: the same modal can be deontic (i.e. based on rules and regulations), but it may also involve processes, sets of knowledge or belief systems, and thus get an epistemic interpretation. In order to define the class of modals or to provide a set of environments in which a modal may be correctly or appropriately used, one must refer to many levels of language: the purely syntactic environment, as well as the logical structure, the context of the utterance, the assumptions that are shared by the speaker and the addressee, the social situation assumed by the participants in the discourse, the impression the speaker wants to make on the addressee, and so on. There is also the question of the appropriate context environments, that is, the semantic-pragmatic issue. Therefore, a complete analysis of a particular modal can only be achieved by looking both at its syntactic features and at its semantic structure; in other words, the syntax of a modal verb is based on its semantics, and these two dimensions are inseparable.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Diploma Thesis from the year 2007 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics, grade: 1, University of Bucharest (Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures), 45 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: Modality is a semantic concept that covers notions such as possibility, probability, permission, ability, volition, necessity and obligation. The class of modals is in many languages both syntactically and semantically highly irregular and unpredictable: modals frequently have idiosyncratic conjugational patterns and are subject to highly specialized syntactic rules. One of the main characteristic of modal verbs is their relatively imprecise and indeterminate meaning, their ambiguity: the same modal can be deontic (i.e. based on rules and regulations), but it may also involve processes, sets of knowledge or belief systems, and thus get an epistemic interpretation. In order to define the class of modals or to provide a set of environments in which a modal may be correctly or appropriately used, one must refer to many levels of language: the purely syntactic environment, as well as the logical structure, the context of the utterance, the assumptions that are shared by the speaker and the addressee, the social situation assumed by the participants in the discourse, the impression the speaker wants to make on the addressee, and so on. There is also the question of the appropriate context environments, that is, the semantic-pragmatic issue. Therefore, a complete analysis of a particular modal can only be achieved by looking both at its syntactic features and at its semantic structure; in other words, the syntax of a modal verb is based on its semantics, and these two dimensions are inseparable.

More books from GRIN Publishing

Cover of the book An interpretation of 'Wires' (by Philip Larkin) by Andra Stefanescu
Cover of the book French Economic Order, A brief overview of the major shifts in the French economy,the economic sectors and companies in France by Andra Stefanescu
Cover of the book Consequences of Globalisation on Turkish Women Regarding Labor Participation by Andra Stefanescu
Cover of the book Six Sigma and Goal Theory by Andra Stefanescu
Cover of the book Moralia Coniugalia - Étude sur l'impossible sacralité du mariage à l'époque de la raison by Andra Stefanescu
Cover of the book Bram Stoker: Dracula - The relationship of Jonathan and Mina Harker by Andra Stefanescu
Cover of the book German 'Leitkultur' - What is the content of the German 'Leitkultur'? by Andra Stefanescu
Cover of the book The Cosmos as Garden - A pictorial contemplation of Chinese Private Gardens and their role in the alteration of time and space by Andra Stefanescu
Cover of the book John Milton's 'Paradise Lost'. Can the Literary Satan be considered a Classic Hero? by Andra Stefanescu
Cover of the book Gangster mythology in Howard Hawks' 'Scarface - Shame of the nation' by Andra Stefanescu
Cover of the book Religious Symbolism in William Blake's 'Songs of Innocence and of Experience' by Andra Stefanescu
Cover of the book The making of black female revolutionaries - growing consciousness and change of identity in the autobiographies of Assata Shakur and Elaine Brown by Andra Stefanescu
Cover of the book Geographical varieties of English: Scotland by Andra Stefanescu
Cover of the book Imperialism in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness by Andra Stefanescu
Cover of the book From 'counterrevolution' to 'revolution' to collapse by Andra Stefanescu
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy