ГЛАГОЛ CAN В АНГЛОЯЗЫЧНОМ МЕДИА-ТЕКСТЕ ПОЛИТИЧЕСКОЙ ТЕМАТИКИ: МОДАЛЬНАЯ СЕМАНТИКА И СПОСОБЫ ЕЕ ВЫРАЖЕНИЯ

Abstract

The paper focuses on syntagms with the modal verb “can” related to the semantics expressed based on the English political discourse. The results of the survey of theoretical literature devoted to modal verbs semantics are demonstrated. The basic characteristic of modal verbs is their transitional position between meaningful and functional verbs. The ability of modal verbs to express possibility, necessity and obligation, on the one hand, and the degree of certainty, on the other, is noted. In this respect theoretical conceptualization of two types of a modal verb realization in the text of a certain functional style seems to be important. The suggested solution is to turn to two dichotomies concerning substantial and formal aspects of modal verbs: aletic and epistemic modality, and lexical and lexical-syntactic type of realization. The unit of the analysis is a modal syntagm. The parameters of modal semantics differentiation are the subject of the utterance and the means of its expression, syntactic content of the predicate, morphological categories of declaration and question, statement and negation, voice. Analysis of the verb “can” realization in the editorial media texts highlights the minor degree of lexical meaning diminuation which denotes the lack of distinct borders between two types of modal semantics. For the verb’s realization of the epistemic semantics the tendency for qualification, passive voice forms, lack of marked forms of negation, aspect and temporary correlation. In the majority of lexical-syntactic syntagms the subject denotes abstract notions, has a complicated structure and contributes to the highlighting of a modal verb; nomination of a real agent is connected with colligational restrictions. The conclusions specify (and in some cases refute) information in standard grammar manuals.