Abstract
Based on the view of modality in the theoretical framework of descriptive syntax, this study examined a corpus of learners compared with a corpus of native speakers of English, aiming to identify different patterns of expression of modal meanings, particularly, adverbs and modal verbs. Therefore, the study focused its analysis on n-grams containing modal verbs and adverbs that express modality. This analysis revealed the prevalence of epistemic values in both corpora, and the existence of distinct patterns in the expression of this type of modality. In the non-native corpus, the expression of modality is restricted when compared to the native speakers'. In the corpus of native speakers, there was a prevalence of adverbs with modalizing meanings. In addition, learners tend to use some modal verbs differently. This study may contribute to the emerging field of corpora linguistic studies as well as to the area of syntax, with possible implications for the teaching of academic writing in English.
Highlights
Corpus-based studies on learners’ production of written discourse have caught the attention of many researchers from different domains
Production, recent findings have contributed to the understanding of their interlanguage by identifying linguistic features that are prevalent in their discourse (BERBER-SARDINHA, 2001; DUTRA, 2009, in Brazil)
The present study argues along the same lines, as it shows that students seem to heavily rely on modal verbs instead of other forms of modality that are present in the native speaker’s corpus
Summary
Corpus-based studies on learners’ production of written discourse have caught the attention of many researchers from different domains. We analyze a learners’ corpus aiming at identifying how Brazilian learners of English express stance and attitude by employing modality items in their academic writing. We shall compare their production to that of native speakers of English in the same setting, that is, in the academic writing scenario. How Brazilian learners express modality through verbs and adverbs in their writing framework we use in this paper, based on descriptive syntax analysis and corpora studies. Modal verbs and adverbs were identified as the most common forms of modality found in learners’ essays For this reason, we set off to investigate how learners express stance and attitude through these forms. The structure of this paper is as follows: introduction, literature review and theoretical framework, analysis, and conclusion
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