Abstract
This study investigates the use of modal verbs as stance markers in Pakistani English newspaper editorials. For this purpose, corpora of 1000 editorials have been developed from the editorials published in The News, The Dawn, The Frontier and The Express Tribune (250 editorials from each newspaper) and analyzed using AntConc 3.4.4.0. Results reveal that prediction, possibility and necessity are the characteristic features of Pakistani English newspaper editorials and the writers of these editorials use modality to report, comment or inform about the state of affairs. Results also show that the main focus of Pakistani English newspapers’ editorials is on depicting ‘what will happen’, ‘what may happen’ and ‘what is needed to happen’. On the basis of these results, the study concludes that modality, being an important linguistic property, is used by the editorialists to maintain interaction with readers, establish authorial persona and present personal as well as institutional stance. To cipher readers’ negative perception about stance, the editorialists make a skillful use of intermediate-value modals. Study suggests the editorial readers to be aware of the writer’s stance marking. For, it may influence mind and manipulate opinions.
Highlights
This study investigates the use of modal verbs as stance markers in Pakistani English newspaper editorials
The discussion of above results leads to the conclusion that prediction, possibility and necessity are the most important features of Pakistani English newspaper editorials
It can be said that Pakistani English newspaper editorialists are mainly concerned with presenting ‘what will happen’, ‘what can happen’ and ‘what should happen’
Summary
& Schleppegrell, 2011, 2016; He & Wang, 2012; Holmes, 1988; Hunston & Thompson, 2000; Hyland, 1996; Kuppers, 2012; Maks & Vossen, 2010; Mirahayuni, 2002; Nartey & Yankson, 2014; Ngula, 2017; Panocova, 2008; Pho, 2013; Shayegh, 2012; Shayegh & Nabifar, 2012; Taavitsainen, 2001; Wang & Jiang, 2018). Bista (2009), Maks and Vossen (2010), Shayegh (2012) and Shayegh and Nabifar (2012) explored the stance in political discourse and in much the same way, Kupper (2012) recorded the presence of stance in business communication letters. Wang and Jiang (2018) reported the use of stance in scientific research writings
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 callMore From: Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies
Disclaimer: 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.
