认知情态动词与根情态动词的语义歧异研究

Semantic Difference of the English Modals

情态词表现为句子的模态算子,其界定与描述长期以来都是语言学中探索的问题之一。笔者根据JenniferCoats的情态助动词意义的理论(叠义、模糊集模式),将情态助动词进行适当归并,划分出认知情态和根情态两类,以情态助动词can、may、must和have to以及它们的否定和过去时态形式为载体进行讨论,旨在对英语情态助动词的语义歧异研究提出新的思路和方法。

The definition and description of modality, the operator of a sentence, has been one of the pervasive problems in linguistics. Based on Jennifer Coats＇ s fuzzy set model, the author proposes that modal verbs can be properly lumped, i.e. divided into two types： epistemic modality and root modality. This study elaborates on the modals can, may, must and have to, and illustrate them with their negative and past forms, so as to present a systematic description of semantic differences of the modal verbs.