Fourth, it will reveal the lexicogrammatical realization of interpersonal meanings by MSAs in discourse.MSAs are parasitic modal devices, and differ from those MAs which convey modality solely in clauses.In this sense MSAs could be considered as part of Modal Verb Group (hereafter MVG), a linguistic element at the clause level and even in terms of the whole discourse.This dissertation states that the lexicogrammatical patterns of MSAs under the framework of SFL contribute to the realization of the interpersonal roles involved in discourse.For instance, according to the investigation of corpora in this dissertation, easily, always, never and ever are the MSAs with a high frequency in public speeches (hereafter PS), journalistic interviews (hereafter JI）and academic writings (hereafter AW); in fact and generally speaking show a higher proportion of occurrences among the MSAs in AW and JI than in PS; at least and in particular are commonly used among the MSAs in laws and regulations (hereafter LR), especially in connection with must, which are not so striking in other genres selected.
Fifth, it will prove that generic features have impacts on the use of MSAs as a means of modality supplementing in discourse.The ideas proposed in this dissertation are to be supported by data analysis of four genres, namely, PS, JI, AW, and LR.The analysis aims at providing empirical evidence for the arguments to be proposed, and more importantly establishing a framework of MSAs in discourse for the construal and supplementing of modality.Significant statistics and specific text analysis will be presented in order to unveil MSAs as a system of choices for modal potentials in discourse.
In LR, for example, legislators need to provide a rationale for the decrees that have been passed.Thus, MSAs can act as a means of indicating sources of power, ways of conduct and extent of requirement.In comparison, AW targets at a discourse community with shared academic goals, expertise, and ways of saying and meaning (Swales, 1990; Bhatia, 1993/2004).In academic writings, modality tends to denote tentativeness, evidentiality and justifiability; thus, MSAs are needed to supplement the modality shown by MVs, which include core and peripheral ones.As different genres have different impacts on modality, there should be some differences in the deployment and significance of MSAs as well as the modality supplementing patterns involved.In this dissertation, in-depth studies will be made in relation to genres, modal harmony, speech acts, ideology and especially the interpersonal system of modal choices.
It is noticed that MSAs can supplement various aspects of modality, for instance, extent, scope, commitment and proposition.Of course, different MVs may have different MSAs.Thus, an analysis of the co-occurrences between MVs and MSAs can help people to understand the needs of modality supplementing of different MVs in different genres.If in a certain genre the MSAs related to commitment and obligations are in a larger proportion than others, the situation may indicate the modal orientation concerned.
Sixth, it will reveal that MSAs as a means of modality supplementing can be the products of negotiation strategies in discourse and hence should be analyzed from the perspectives of the appraisal theory.The current study will find what roles MSAs play on the basis of evaluations by the discourse participants.Both theoretical illustrations and empirical tests will be provided.
Seventh, it will compare the use of MSAs in argumentative writing by China’s EFL (English as a foreign language）learners in order to find if genres or text types have impacts on the conveying of attitudes or judgments.There will be a discussion about the causes and implications.
Some linguists (e.g.Coates, 1983; Hoye, 1997）have noticed the roles of prosodic modality realized by stress, rhythm and intonation that are placed on MVs.While this dissertation acknowledges the existence of prosodic modality and its importance, it does not attempt to probe into this field.As the data involved is written (though PS and JI are delivered through the spoken channel, they function more like written texts ― prepared and semi-formal; also, the corpora are in the written form instead of transcripts or recordings), the prosodic modality of MSAs will not be dealt with.
1.3 Methodology
This dissertation adopts both qualitative and quantitative methods in conducting the research on MSAs as a means of modality supplementing.Qualitatively, it conducts research on MSAs as a means of modality supplementing under the framework of SFL while drawing inspirations from the research of other linguistic schools in this respect.This study intends to integrate a variety of theories or perspectives to unveil the nature of this linguistic phenomenon.In other words, the methodology is multi-dimensional under the general framework (specifically the modality system）of the interpersonal metafunction of SFL.Quantitatively, it displays the results of data analysis to prove how MSAs as a means of modality supplementing work in discourse.
First, it draws inspirations from philosophy and semantics.Joos (1964）and Ehrman (1966）employ the monosemantic approach in analyzing modality.This approach asserts a basic meaning for each MV.This is similar to the idea of truth conditions proposed by von Wright (1984）in analyzing modal devices.According to von Wright (ibid), modal meanings can be inferred in a mathematic way, as being either this or that, or either true or false.The current study does not think such an approach works in exploring MSAs as a means of modality supplementing.