Abstract
The article presents the results of a comparative analysis of subjective modality in literary and media texts. Subjective modality is connected with the speaker's attitude to the statement. In the text, it is realized in the form of the so-called modal meanings. We compare the ways of expressing subjective modality in the texts belonging to different functional styles: belles-lettres (emotive prose, drama, poetry), newspaper, and publicistic. We have chosen examples from fiction as well as from media texts, because we suppose that the modal meanings they convey depend on lexical and grammatical means of expressing subjective modality in the text; if it is a recorded text than the major role belongs to intonation. If modal markers can be found in the whole text, one can speak of the so-called 'diffuse modality'. The results of our analysis show that it is possible to single out three types of modal meanings forming three groups: group A – speaker's attitude to the content of the speech, group B – speaker's attitude to the addressee; group C – the attitude of the speaker towards themselves. Modal markers are mainly concentrated in leading segments of the text. In most of the texts, these means of expressing text modality are connected with text genre, especially in media texts, which belong to rational and emotional journalism. In media texts, subjective modality is often displayed by various communicative manipulative strategies used to form the public opinion.
Highlights
In linguistic literature, modality is broadly defined as a category expressing the relation of an utterance to reality from the viewpoint of the speaker, the speaker's attitude to the content of the utterance, and the attitude of the agent to the action
We can specify different modal meanings (MMs) in the text thanks to modal markers, which can be considered as the signals of addressee orientation
We aim to specify how subjective modality is expressed in fiction and in the media text; to find out leading and background segments in these texts and to identify the role of different means in expressing modality
Summary
Modality is broadly defined as a category expressing the relation of an utterance to reality from the viewpoint of the speaker, the speaker's attitude to the content of the utterance, and the attitude of the agent to the action. We aim to specify how subjective modality is expressed in fiction (i.e. prose, drama, and poetry) and in the media text; to find out leading and background segments in these texts and to identify the role of different means in expressing modality. For this purpose, we use componential, contextual, and stylistic analysis focusing on the means of stylistic syntax and semasiology; in poetic texts, attention is given to the means of phonetic stylistics and in recorded texts, auditory and acoustic analyses have been carried out. Pragmatic and discourse analyses help identify persuasive communicative strategies
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
