Study on Epistemic Modality: Focusing on Learner Corpus and Native Speaker Corpus

Abstract

The study aimed at investigating how Korean EFL writers employed epistemic modality in comparison with native speakers. For the study, the learner corpus (LC) and native speaker corpus (NSC) were created. The analysis focused on three categories: the overall frequency of epistemic modality, grammatical distributions, and semantic categories. The results of the study revealed that the overall frequency of epistemic modality in two corpora was similar, overlapping 6 top ten items. However, the close look at each frequency showed that Korean EFL writers employed a more restricted range of items, relying on the expressions of certainty and possibility. With regards to grammatical distributions, each group exhibited different ranges and frequencies of devices; while native speakers preferred adverbs, Korean EFL writers tended to favor modal verbs. Regarding semantic categories, Korean EFL writers preferred firmer assertion with the expression of certainty. Nevertheless, native speakers tended to favor more tentative expressions with the expressions of probability and doubt. Based on the results of the study, pedagogical implications were finally discussed.