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The topic of this course is the expression of modal meanings (i.e., possibility and necessity) in natural language. Focussing on modal auxiliaries such as 'might', 'can', 'must' etc., we introduce the basics of a semantic model that allows us to analyze and distinguish these meanings. Based on this analysis of modality in English, we then discuss variation across languages in the syntax and semantics of modal elements, including data from understudied, non-European languages as well as from languages that are more closely related to English.
Some background knowledge on generative syntax and formal semantics is helpful for this course, but not strictly required. |
