Affirmative and negated modality

Authors

  • Günter Radden Universität Hamburg

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7203/qfilologia.14.3996

Keywords:

force-dynamic, modals, motivation, necessity, possibility

Abstract

The force-dynamic nature of modals has been studied extensively in Cognitive Linguistics. However, these studies have mainly been concerned with affirmative modality. The interaction of modality with negation has been dominated by logic. Looked at from a logical point of view, the behavior of English modals under negation appears to be haphazard and unmotivated. This study shows that the use of modals under negation is motivated. Like affirmative modality, negated modality is based on force-dynamic constellations: the force-dynamic notion that is central to negated modality is that of blockage. The interaction of modality and negation is governed by communicative principles of natural language, in particular the overarching principle of relevance and the principles of clarity, economy, meaningfulness and polysemy.

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Author Biography

Günter Radden, Universität Hamburg

Emeritus Professor of Linguistics Department of English and American Studies

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How to Cite

Radden, G. (2014). Affirmative and negated modality. Quaderns De Filologia - Estudis Lingüístics, 14, 169–192. https://doi.org/10.7203/qfilologia.14.3996
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Issue

Vol. 14 (2009): NEW PERSPECTIVES IN COGNITIVE LINGUISTICS

Section

Artículos

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