Prototypový význam slovenských gramatikalizovaných modálnych slovies
Prototype Meaning of Slovak Modal Verbs Grammaticalization

Summary/Abstract: Discussing Slovak modal verbs polysemy, it is not important that we work with multiple meanings (traditional linguistics), but that these meanings are related interdependently in natural and systematic ways. The process of grammaticalization has shown that high polysemy is the common denominator of basic modal verbs in Slavic languages. Moreover, it has helped to uncover the primary/original grammatical function of the full meaning verb have with a specific lexical meaning of possession. This meaning (having something as property, owning something) was also confirmed in the etymology of modal verbs can and must. As it might be observed from the mentioned phraseological examples, the original meaning (the source domain) has its background in the physical experience of a man in the world around him. Through the conceptual model of the container, we explained the ability of Slovak modal verbs to form radial categories in the following way: concrete meaning of possession → possibility ↔ necessity → low rate of certainty ↔ high rate of certainty → foreign opinion.

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