Scribd
Upload
341 views6 pages

Understanding Dynamic Modality

The document discusses the concept of dynamic modality in linguistics. It distinguishes dynamic modality, which involves ability and volition, from deontic modality involving permission and obligation. Dynamic modality comes from the individual, while deontic comes from an external source. Several scholars, including Palmer and Huddleston and Pullum, recognize dynamic modality as a key category involving ability, volition, and non-deontic possibility and necessity. Examples are provided of modal verbs and expressions used to indicate ability and willingness.

Uploaded by

danithecatlady
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
341 views6 pages

Understanding Dynamic Modality

The document discusses the concept of dynamic modality in linguistics. It distinguishes dynamic modality, which involves ability and volition, from deontic modality involving permission and obligation. Dynamic modality comes from the individual, while deontic comes from an external source. Several scholars, including Palmer and Huddleston and Pullum, recognize dynamic modality as a key category involving ability, volition, and non-deontic possibility and necessity. Examples are provided of modal verbs and expressions used to indicate ability and willingness.

Uploaded by

danithecatlady
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Dynamic Modality

Palmer distinguishes between dynamic modality, which covers ability and volition, and deontic
modality, which, as usual, accounts for permission and obligation. Dynamic modality ‘comes from
the individual concerned,’ whilst deontic modality comes ‘from an external source’ (2001: 10).
Thus, most of the ‘root’ modality meanings are categorized not only according to their semantic
role vis à vis the situation referred to rather than the proposition expressed, but also according to
whether the modality always affects the subject referent or whether it always affects a discourse
participant. (The two may of course coincide – a first person subject referent is also the speaker.)
Palmer also points out that ability sometimes has to ‘be interpreted more widely,’ in the sense
that the circumstances that affect the subject’s physical and mental powers also need to be taken
into account. The effect of circumstances in general upon the possibility or not of a situation’s
actualising is accounted for by Coates (cf. above) as non-deontic root possibility rather than as part
of ability, on the basis of the fact that such circumstance affected possibility is not associated with
many of the semantic and syntactic features which are associated with ability meaning. However,
non-deontic root possibility is not recognized as a distinct area of meaning by Palmer. Huddleston
and Pullum et al. (2002), like Palmer (1990), make a three-fold distinction between epistemic,
deontic and dynamic modality. The category of dynamic modality covers ability, volition and non-
deontic root modality [that is, root necessity and root possibility].

Excerpt from DEPRAETERE, I.; REED, S. Mood and Modality in English.In: AARTS, B.; McMAHON, A. (ed) The Handbook
of English Linguistics. Blackwell Publishing, 2006. p.279-280
Excerpts from HUDDLESTON, R.; PULLUM, G.K. (Eds.) The Cambridge grammar of the English language. Cambridge
University Press, 2002. p. 184-185 / Able p.208
Excerpts from HUDDLESTON, R.; PULLUM, G.K. (Eds.) The Cambridge grammar of the English language. Cambridge
University Press, 2002. p. 185

Excerpts from HUDDLESTON, R.; PULLUM, G.K. (Eds.) The Cambridge grammar of the English language. Cambridge
University Press, 2002. p. 206-207
Excerpts from HUDDLESTON, R.; PULLUM, G.K. (Eds.) The Cambridge grammar of the English language. Cambridge
University Press, 2002. p. 191-193; 208; 196
Medium modality:

Weak modality:

Some examples of ability and willingness (volition):

Modal
auxiliary Example Alternative modal expressions
verb
I can speak Spanish well.
can She has the ability to speak 4 languages.
Can you believe it!
Is that believable?
I couldn't possible lift it. I haven't the strength to do it.
could She could read well at the age of 4. I am happy to accept.
Could you give me some help? Please help me.
will I'll get the door. I volunteer to do that.
would I would love to come. Let me go; I know the way.
Did you manage to find what you wanted?
able to Were you able to find what you wanted?
www.eltconcourse.com

Dynamic Modality: verbs, adverbs, adjectives, nouns, notes and examples

You might also like