Truth ,modality and hedging
Linguistic items based:- on modality
-Hedging (I think, I believe, suppose)
-Modal verbs
-Modal adjectives/adverbs
Modality
* Modality is another linguistic device to establish power relationships and
ideological one through language.
* There are several ways to analyze modality. Many scholars have worked on this.
Modality is:
* People's commitment to what they say
* People might want to appear to be firmly aligned to an idea or thing but at the same
time wish to limit how much this is represented in terms of a firm promise or
command.
Modality is in the middle of truth and untruth. It is cutting a huge story short. It is the
connection between the speaker and the certainty, truth.
Different types of Modality
(we looked at these in LN516 when we looked at the interpersonal metafunction)
Deontic modality: It is about "how we compel and instruct others". It is about
obligation. Ex. You must close the door.(have to,must ,ought to)
Epistemic modality: it is about possibility/ies and it is about the speaker's judgment
of the truth. I think, I could, should.
Dynamic modality: Ability to complete an action, I can go to the dentist tomorrow.
Modal verbs:
Logical Possibility: Must (Most Certain), Will, Would, Should, May, Can, Could,
Might (Least Certain).
Examples: The dark clouds must mean rain today; Due to the news, the stock will go
down; The chemical would help the experiment; The case should prevent cracking;
