THE VARIETY OF MODAL SOURCES OF DEONTIC UTTERANCE (BASED ON THE MATERIAL OF THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE)

Abstract

The components of the semantic structure of the modal utterance (force, an agent and a source) are relevant criteria for differentiating modalities different in their inner essence modality (epistemic, aletic, deontic) due to the use of polysemantic modal indicators. Demonstrating itself through semantic components, the deontic statement corresponds to the following model: according to the modal source, there is a mandatory or restrictive necessity / a permissive possibility for the proposition to be fulfilled by the modal agent into reality.The article describes content of the semantic basis of the deontic expression – various types of modal sources. This comprehensive analysis deepens the problematic of interpreting language constructions with deontic meaning. The article discusses an entire spectrum of modal sources, which are external and internal coercion grouped into two large groups: sources of universal and private nature. The study has shown, that the first group is substantially homogeneous since it coordinates social relations in which all members participate. The second one regulates social interaction in a perticular situation; therefore its content scope is much wider and more diverse. The type of the source defines particular deontic meanings within the permissiveness, prohibition and obligatoriness, it determines the indicators in the surface structure of the utterance that allows the addressee to recognize the deontic factor.The proposed classification of modal sources certainly is not the only possible one. However, it allows the researcher to consider all kinds of factors that determine the expression of deontic attitude in speech. In conclusion, the research perspectives are indicated: identification of the dominant type of the source in various discourses, as well as establishment of the relationship between the type of the source and the language expression of the deontic utterance.