Zum Begriff und zu den Arten der Modalität in der Linguistik
The Concept and Kinds of Modality in Linguistics

Summary/Abstract: The aim of the present article is to provide a brief overview of the concept and kinds of modality as represented in a selection of linguistic works. The earliest mention of modality in linguistic research dates to the beginning of the 20th century. The subject saw its development in further linguistic theories, from traditional grammar to modern communicative pragmatics. The present article provides a critical review of the definitions and classification of modality and addresses the similarities and differences of opinion on the subject as present in linguistic research. Thorough study of linguistics provides basis for the conclusion that modality is defined differently by different authors, with the number of kinds of modality varying from two to five in the reference literature referred to in the article. A common point of reference for research is provided by the fundamental nature of the subject matter in question. Modality is not a constituent part, but an additional aspect of the content of proposition. The attempt to identify separate kinds of modality gains transparency, considering the fact that such classification is based on dialectics of subjectivity and objectivity. Since the problem of modality in linguistic research is still relevant today, especially with reference to communicative pragmatics providing new aspects of analysis on the subject, the present article may be viewed as a brief introduction into the subject of modality.

• Details
• Contents