A Study Of The Distribution Features And Interpersonal Functions Of Modal Verbs In Different Genres

The study focuses on the distribution features and interpersonal functions of modal verbs in different genres. Modality is concerned with the subjective characteristics of an utterance and can reflect the subjective attitudes and opinions of speakers. From the perspective of Systemic Functional Grammar, modality is shown through the semantic gradients between negative and positive poles. Thus, each modal expression is located on a strong-to-weak semantic continuum. The closer the modal expression approaches the positive pole, the stronger its sense is. This is the value that attaches to each modal expression. Modal verbs are the most important linguistic realization of modality (Halliday, 2000). They have their own methods of distribution in different genres, and the writers choose modal verbs with different values to realize different interpersonal functions. Mainly based on the theoretical framework of Halliday's Systemic Functional Grammar and the relevant theory of modality theory, with the help of corpus, the thesis attempts to analyze central modal verbs (must, shall, will, may, can, should, could, would, might) in the three formal written genres, that is, laws, news, and research articles discourse, with the aim to show the distribution features and the distinct interpersonal functions of modal verbs in different genres.Through the comparative study, it is shown from the results that the use of modal verbs is genre sensitive, i.e. in different genres modal verbs are prominently used and they convey specific modal meanings. In the laws discourse, the writers tend to choose the root meaning modal verbs, and shall and may make up a large proportion of the running modal verbs. In the news discourse and research articles discourse, the writers prefer to use the epistemic meaning modal verbs. Will and would occur most frequently in the news discourse, whereas may and can are commonly used by research article writers. Modal verbs with different values help the genre to realize different interpersonal functions. By counting the occurrence of the high, median and low value modal verbs in each genre, the modality value inclination of each genre can be calculated. There is a close relationship between modality value inclination and the genre in which it is presented. It is shown that in the laws discourse, the writers tend to choose median value modal verbs; in the news discourse, the writers prefer to use both median and low value modal verbs; in research articles discourse, low value modal verbs occur most frequently. The author also provides some reasons to explain the differences and similarities in the modality value inclination of the three genres. The differences of the modality value inclination are motivated by the specific commutative goal of each genre. The application of median value modal verbs impresses the laws language of formality, accuracy, objectiveness, justness, which serves to call for the public to comply well with the rules and regulations. The adoption of both median and low value modal verbs can promote the objectivity and truthfulness of news language to the readers, at the same time can express the opinions which represent some certain political group in a more explicit and tactful way, thus it is helpful for the journalists to escape some responsibility and mitigate their specific attitude towards the event that they report. Low value modal verbs in research articles discourse aim at increasing the tentativeness of propositions in order to decrease the imposition of the writer's argument on the reader, even if deviation occurs, the responsibility shouldered by the writer can be greatly lessened. In spite of the differences in their modality value inclination, the similarity is that all the three genres incline to choose median and low value modal verbs instead of high value modal verbs. The application of median and low value modal verbs can impress the language moderate and appropriate thus help to achieve the goal of effective communication, because the tone of median and low value expressions is milder and can leave some room for the readers. High value modal verbs are so affirmative and absolute that leave no room for discussions; they provoke a sense of heavy imposition on the readers. The comparative study is carried out with an expected effect of providing some enlightenment to both English teachers and learners. Except for the semantic differences of modal verbs, it is important for English teachers and learners to develop the awareness of the specific distribution features and specific modal meanings of modal verbs in different genres, as well as the relationship between modality value inclination and interpersonal functions in different genres, which will help them to comprehend modal verbs better.