MODALITY IN SPECIALIZED TEXTS
Modality is the semantic domain, closely related to elements of meaning that languages express. It may be
conceived as a means for the speaker/writer to convey attitudinal aspects associated to the degree of
commitment. According to Palmer, modality is something similar to mood, which is a way to convey and
overlay of meaning to the neutral semantic pragmatic value of the proposition.
Modality is not only expressed by verbal mood, but also by modal verbs and other items, such as adjectives
(sure, certain, possible), adverbs (apparently, hopefully, likely, surely), nouns (request, assumption,
expectation) and verbs (believe, fancy, feel, guess, hope).
There are three type of modality:
- Epistemic modality concerns matters of knowledge and belief and is related to the speaker/writer making
judgements about the possibility that something is or is not the case. It is concerned with his/her belief or
opinion about the validity of the proposition.
An epistemic statement modifies the truth of a semantic proposition
- Deontic modality (=> directives) is traditionally defined in terms of the notions of “permission” and
“obligation”. The speaker gives permission or makes a promise, expresses a wish, or places someone under
an obligation. This type of modality is connected with futurity.
- Dynamic modality expresses ability and disposition. The concept of dynamic modality has been developed
by Palmer and is now generally applied to modal expression of ability, power, habit, prediction and
circumstance.
Modality is a central topic in the analysis of specialized discourse, as the choice and the use of its elements
represent a typical mark of a specific text type, and often is one of the characterizing conventions on which
a certain specialized genre is based. The use of modality in specialized languages may be considered of
extreme importance also in pedagogical terms.
Through modality the encoder gives indication about its status and validity in his own judgement and is thus
able to express the degree of commitment or detachment that is considered to be appropriate for that specific
text.
