Conceptualization of Modality

Modality is what the speaker is doing with the whole proposition.

Bybee (1985)
Modality is the semantic information associated with the speaker’s
attitude or opinion what was said . Pamper (1986)
 Deborah Cameron illustrates with an example:
"[Modality] is what makes the difference between a factual
assertion like unicorns never existed, and a more guarded view, such
as it seems unlikely that unicorns could ever have existed—or a
bolder claim like the existence of unicorns must always have been a
myth. Modality, then, is a resource speakers and writers use when
they are staking claims to knowledge: it allows them to formulate
different kinds of claims (e.g., assertions, opinions, hypotheses,
speculations) and indicate how committed they are to those claims."
("The Teacher's Guide to Grammar," Oxford University Press, 2007)
Searle ‘s speech act theory : Modality connected to act
• Assertives
• Directives
• Commissives
• Declaratives
• Expressives
 Assertives (word fit the world-the speaker’s belief or commitment to the truth value of the
proposition-epistemic) o Examples
“Socrates is bald “. “2+2 =4”. “All men are mortal “. “Barack Obama is president of the United
States”.

Directives (Words change the world –deontic)

Examples “Please bless my family “. “Go to your room”. “Pass the salt”. “Vote for me “

Commissive (word change the world-hearer- oriented- denontic )

Examples “ I promise to exercise everyday “. “I solemnly swear to truth “. “I will be there at 9
o’clock “.
Declaratives (Words change the world –epistemic) o Examples “I now pronounce you husband
and wife”. “I promise to come and see you”.
 Expressives (Words fit the world –epistemic)
Example “Thank you for giving me the money”. “I apologize for
stepping on your face”. “Congratulations on marrying a libertarian
“. => Sentence meaning =Propositional content + Non-
propositional content
 Indicating Modality Grammatically
In English , Modality is expressed by Modal verbs , Adverbs and Adjectives

Modal verbs Low modality shows less certainty.

• I might leave early today.
• You could try to do it again.
• She may want to check the results. High modality shows a high degree of
certainty.
• I must leave early today.
• You will do it again.
• She has to check the results.
 Adverbs ( perhaps , possibly , possible , sometimes , certainly ,
definitely , …..)
• I could possibly go , perhaps I will go .
• She certainly didn’t feel any different .

Adjectives ( possible , probable , obligatory , necessary , required,

determined , likely , …. )
• It is the most likely event to occur .
 Types of Modality - 2 kind of modality
Relating to an a element of will . => Deontic modality
Containing no will . => Epistemic modality

Epistemic Modality
“Epistemic” means “understanding” or “knowledge”.
Epistemic modality refers to the degree of commitments by the speaker to what he
says – the extent to which the truth of a proposition is possible.
Epistemic is possibility-based and concerned with truth, belief and knowledge.
Epistemic has the declarative as its unmarked member of the modal system. She
may be cute.
 Deontic Modality
Deontic contains an element of will, concerning with actions rather
than with belief, knowledge and truth.
Deontic is necessity-based/ obligation- based
 "Modality is concerned with the speaker's assessment of, or attitude towards, the
potentiality of a state of affairs. Modality, therefore, relates to different worlds.
Assessments of potentiality, as in You must be right, relate to the world of knowledge and
reasoning. This type of modality is known as epistemic modality. Modal attitudes apply to
the world of things and social interaction. This type of modality is known as root modality.
Root modality comprises three subtypes: deontic modality, intrinsic modality and
disposition modality. Deontic modality is concerned with the speaker's directive attitude
towards an action to be carried out, as in the obligation You must go now. Intrinsic modality
is concerned with potentialities arising from intrinsic qualities of a thing or circumstances,
as in The meeting can be canceled, i.e. 'it is possible for the meeting to be canceled.'
Disposition modality is concerned with a thing's or a person's intrinsic potential of being
actualised; in particular abilities. Thus, when you have the ability to play the guitar you will
potentially do so....Modal verbs have a special status among modal expressions: they
ground a situation in potential reality." (John Benjamins, 2007)