Subjectivity And Objectivity Of English Modals

This study deals with the distinction between subjective and objective modality on the basis of the English modal auxiliaries. Modality has three types: epistemic modality, deontic modality and dynamic modality. The preceding studies explain that the speaker-related modality with the interpersonal function is subjective, whereas non-speaker-related modality with the ideational function is objective. They also explain the divergent grammatical behavior of subjective and objective modality with respect to conditionality, interrogation, and tense. I show doubts to the above distinctions, especially to the latter. Therefore, I try to propose a new alternative account whose central factor is the performative status of subjective modality versus non-performative status of objective modality. On the basis of this alternative analysis, I also try to propose a more accurate delineation of subjective and objective functions in the English modal auxiliary system:As to epistemic modality, epistemic modality becomes echoic under the influence of conditionality, is not subject to distinctions of tense, and usually shifts its orientation under the influence of interrogation.As to deontic modality, both subjective and objective functions occur. Some uses of deontic modality clearly serve to encode the speaker's commitment to the necessity/permissibility of an action, and this subjective function is reflected in the same grammatical characteristic which reflect theIXsubjective nature of epistemic modality. In addition to these subjective uses, there is also an objective category of deontic modality, which merely predicates the existence of some necessity without actually committing the speaker to it.As to dynamic modality, it can always be hypothesized in a conditional protasis, is always subject to tense distinction, and does not shift its orientation under the influence of interrogation.