Modal Meanings Research Articles

Kontrastivna analiza sadašnjeg vremena u srpskom i engleskom jeziku

This paper aims to comprehensively analyze the syntactic semantic features inherent in the present tense in the Serbian language, juxtaposed with an exploration of their counterparts in the English language. Delving into the intricacies of specific meanings, we systematically incorporate indicative, relative, and modal meanings. Beyond delineating the fundamental constructs of the present tense, particular emphasis is placed on the temporal dimension, elucidating the property of the present tense not only to refer to past events but also to indicate future actions. Addressing the complex nature of tense as a linguistic category, the study extends its analytical framework to the category of aspect, thereby elucidating the varied verb forms of the English present tense, including the progressive, perfect, and perfect-progressive aspects. Employing a methodology combining contrastive and descriptive analysis, the research explores the degrees of equivalence inherent in the present tense, in an attempt to discern and articulate corresponding counterparts in English for each specified syntactic-semantic nuance. Upon the completion of the analysis, it was concluded that both linguistic systems convey specific syntactic-semantic meanings, attesting to a considerable degree of equivalence. This analysis underscores the attributes shared by both languages, indicating a high degree of alignment between their linguistic structures.

语气词“罢了”的情态意义探究

语气词“罢了”的情态意义探究

Сравнительный аффикс -ДЫй и модально-сравнительные показатели, образованные на его основе (на материале алтайского языка)

The paper examines the semantics and functioning of the comparative affix -DYy and modal-comparative markers derived from this affix in the Altai language. -DYy is a common marker in comparative constructions indicating a realistic comparison. Originating as a postposition, it frequently appears in various Turkic languages. In the Altai language, the status of this affix is not unambiguous, being commonly categorized as a postposition-affix, case form, or derivational morpheme. It signifies the comparative relationships of similarity between situations or objects. In modern Altai, -DYy is a part of two participle affixes, namely the comparative -GAndYy and -GAdYy denoting possibility or suggestion and a part of the modal particle nemediy (as if). All these markers are found to preserve, to varying degrees, the semantics of comparison carried by the affix -DYy, and then to develop the semantics of modality. The -GAndYy participles form synthetic comparative polypredicative constructions, with the standard of comparison thought of as not actually existing but serving as an ideal or standard for some event. The -GAdYy participles denote the semantics of potential possibility and suggestion. The particle nemediy conveys the modal meaning of seemingness and probability of action. All the markers under consideration can denote seemingness when combined with verbs of perception. The semantics analysis of the markers containing -DYy has revealed the connection between non-real comparison and modality and the development of semantics of appearance, with the possibility being the next stage of semantic development.

Некоторые аспекты внутрикатегориальных связей аксиологической и ситуативной модальности (на материале соматических фразеологизмов русского языка)

This article addresses the features of representing various meanings of situational and axiological modality in the Russian phraseological space and examines certain aspects of intracategorical connections between types of subjective modality. The research material comprises 154 stable combinations with “bodily” lexicon, obtained through continuous sampling from authoritative lexicographic sources, namely: the Great Phraseological Dictionary of the Russian Language edited by V. N. Telia, the Phraseological Dictionary of the Russian Literary Language by A. I. Fedorov, and the Historical-Etymological Dictionary of Russian Phraseology by A. K. Birikh, V. M. Mokienko, and L. I. Stepanova. Additionally, contextual variants of the usage of the stated phraseologisms in artistic and journalistic texts included in the Russian National Corpus were analyzed. The study demonstrates the ability of figurative expressions with somatic components to form a modal context and express both specific situational meanings of subjective modality (possibility / impossibility, desirability, necessity, etc.) and various aspects of axiological modality, which are directly related to the value picture of the world of the Russian people. Special attention is paid to the analysis of those shades of modal meanings that overlap and are in motivated interrelated relationships in stable combinations.

ЛІНГВОПРАГМАТИЧНІ ОСОБЛИВОСТІ СМИСЛОВОГО ПОЛЯ ДЕСКРИПТИВНИХ ТЕКСТІВ (НА МАТЕРІАЛІ ДЕСКРИПЦІЇ ОБРАЗУ БЕЗІМЕННОГО У РОМАНІ А.МАНДЗОНІ «ЗАРУЧЕНІ»

The linguopragmatic features of descriptive texts devoted to the description of the negative character Nameless in A. Manzoni's novel "Betrothed" are analyzed. It has been established that the regularities of information quantization in the semantic field of descriptive texts can be schematically presented in the following way: referent-subject – quality of the referent (evaluation) – locative markers (peculiarities of perception) – temporal markers (sequence of referent-subject’s potential actions, repetition), unfolding of causal structures. It has been established that the organization of meaning-making of a descriptive text is determined by the modal meaning of intrinsic possibility that implies a connection between a subject and its immanent quality. Such connection determines subject’s typical behavior and is related to generalization and evaluability. Tha modal meaning of intrinsic possibility is based on the connection “generalized quality – potential ability”. The connection between subject and its immanent characteristics determines the quantization of information in a microtext and counteracts the openness of channels of information deployment. Temporal relations in descriptive texts are usually expressed through Imperfetto (repeatability, generalization), Modo Condizionale (evaluation), Periodo Ipotetico (unfolding of causal structures). In the semantic space of A. Manzoni’s novel “Betrothed” denotative lexical units (evaluatively neutral vocabulary, locative markers) can acquire an evaluative meaning under the influence of sense field of descriptive texts. Descriptive texts verbalize system-forming meanings “immanent property”, “potential ability”, “evaluation”, “conditionality”, “generalization”. The various linguistic means that verbalize the specified system-forming meanings include Imperfetto (repeatability, generalization), Modo Condizionale, lexical units of evaluative semantics (immanent property, evaluability), Periodo Ipotetico (potential ability, conditionality), existential predicate “essere”, verbs of semantics of movement being part of stylistic device of personification, verbs of causal semantics, modal units of intrinsic possibility “potere”, “ardire”. The dominance of statics over dynamics in descriptive text determines the peculiarities of the functioning of verbs of movement being part of stylistic device of personifications when describing natural phenomena (“saliva”, “si spiegava”, “scorreva”). Verbs to indicate actions of referent-subject as potentially possible in the unfolding of causal structures are introduced not directly but through the modal verbs of intrinsic possibility “potere”, “ardire”. Temporal markers are used to show the sequence of referent-subject’s typical actions. To describe the image of the Nameless in the novel “Betrothed”, A. Manzoni chooses stylistic devices that are organized according to the principle of relevant salience. Synonymous series of lexical units with evaluative connotation creates a negative evaluation in the semantic field of descriptive texts. Descriptive text models top-down perception that is determined by subject’s immanent quality. Personification performs the function of emphasis (“sporge in fuori”), metonymy – generalization (quantifiers of totality: “tutto”, “nessuno”), simile and epithet – evaluation. Perception is verbalized in the direction "from top to bottom" through antithesis and gradation. The main stylistic device is antithesis reflecting the opposition between the negative character and the environment. Metonymy and synecdoche form an antithesis that accentuates the contrast between the omnipotence of the Nameless and the powerlessness of his enemies.

汉英语情态义表达共性分析

汉英语情态义表达共性分析

Verboten reflexivization and hidden meaning in German reflexive inchoative, zu-excessive and particle verb structures

The paper presents a compact yet comprehensive analysis of the systematically arising change of state or mod-al meanings of reflexive inchoative constructions, zu-excessive constructions and particle verb constructions in German (Brandt 2019). Verboten reflexivization links a lower thematic role to a higher grammatical function and associated lesser marking illegally. As a consequence, the negation (complement) of a property that is in-depend-ently coded in the verbal projection cannot be locally interpreted. The corresponding logical form banks off the interface and is interpreted in the structurally next higher syntactic-semantic cycle where indexi-cal information regarding anchoring to times, worlds or thresholds is dealt with. The intransparent semantics of the constructions under discussion is thus the effect of literally recycling a logical form the ex situ interpre-tation of which provides an economical alternative to a more transparent coding.

Еволюція форм вираження авторського модусу у французькому романі

The article is devoted to the problem of expressing the author's mode in artistic discourse, and specifically to the types of narrators and their change in French literature of the 19th-21st centuries. The main focus is on the internalized narrator as the leading form of the modern French novel, which receives a polymodal status due to the special contamination of the voices of the author, the narrator and the character. The article continues the development of the theory of textual modality, namely, the analysis of linguistic forms of its presentation in the text is made, the main means of expressing the modal meaning and showing the author's attitude are determined. Among them, the subjective epithet, the techniques of speech dislocation, and inserted elements that enhance the emotionality of the work deserve special attention. The evolution of the forms of presentation of the author's point of view, the linguistic personality of the author as a bearer of a certain culture is studied, the features of the new text structure with contaminated types of speech are highlighted. Attention is focused on the interconnectedness of the categories of modality, reference and axiologicality, their representation in different parts of the composition, as well as such categories as modalization and focalization, which are considered as meaning- and text-forming. Special attention is paid to expressive modality, forms of integral polylogue, subjective psychologism of the story. It turns out that a special role begins to be given to the mode of doubt, uncertainty of meaning, mechanisms of reflection, actualization of the communicative and discursive feature of the story, and subjective evaluation. It was found that the perceptive mode characteristic of the beginning of the story creates a split reference, to which the mode of subjective reflection is added. The assimilation of the author's voice to the character's voice leads to the disappearance of bright figurative forms, but the modality of accentuation and clarification appears. Modes of self-reflection, self-ignorance, contradictions to generally accepted stereotypes, the appearance of which was impossible in previous narrative types, deserve special attention. Keywords: modality, author's mode, narrator, subjectivization, interiorized narrative, novel, French language. Information about author: Smushchynska Iryna Viktorivna – doctor of philology, professor, head of the department of theory and practice of translation of Roman languages of Mykola Zerov; Educational and scientific institute of philology; Kyiv national Taras Shevchenko university.

When must not is not forbidden

The present paper describes an empirical investigation into an English modal predicate with the auxiliary verb must, the negative particle not and the bare infinitive of the main verb. Typically, the negator not changes the meaning of must from obligation or strong recommendation to forbiddance. This, however, takes place only with the root flavor of must. Epistemic must does not interact with not in this way. The study uses authentic language samples retrieved from the online version of The Corpus of Contemporary American English. The analysis adapts the model of the semantic field of modal expressions developed by Kratzer (1991), and it attempts to find what lies behind the said lack of interaction between must and not. After a scrutiny of the conversational backgrounds influencing the studied modal meanings, the study found that the meaning expressed by a speaker with must not depends on whether the speaker evaluates the propositional circumstances directly or infers from them. Moreover, the study proposes patterns of must-not interfaces with regard to the modal flavor.

Содержание обучения написанию эссе на социально значимую тему

Modern students are often required to be able to write an essay on a socially significant topic, which is important for their personal identification and future career. However, school or university curricula seldom provide special courses in creative writing. This article introduces a methodological training model for schools and universities based on a literary review and sample texts. The research focuses on the knowledge and skills that make up the content of teaching essay writing. Teaching social-topic essay skills includes several stages. Stage I develops the knowledge about personality and subjectivity. It teaches how to apply universal speech strategies, e.g., generalization of one's own life experience, opposition, contrast / continuity, self-contradiction, semantic interpretation, association, paradox, as-if strategy, epatage, etc. A similar list of universal tactics includes referencing and interpretation, illustrative proverbs, comparing different writers’ opinions, introducing scientific data / historical facts / biography details / examples from fiction and films / personal experience shared by many / facts about oneself and family, appeal, assumption, forecasting, expressing one’s personal impressions and feelings, etc. Another list includes mastering lexical, grammatical, and graphic means of expressing subjective modality. Stage II develops analytical skills based on sample texts with various linguistic means of self-expression. It also presupposes the task of writing a statement based on a combination of various speech and language means of self-expression. Stage III involves gaining experience in writing essays on socially significant topics: choosing speech strategies and tactics, applying linguistic means of subjective modality, etc. The research also clarifies the concept of personality as a category of self-expression, as well as determines effective speech strategies, tactics, and linguistic means of subjective modality in expressing one’s personality through an essay on a socially significant topic. In addition, the study offers a new methodology of speech development.

‘-ㄹ 법하다’와 ‘-ㄹ 만하다’의 비인식양태 의미에 대한 연구

The purpose of this paper is to identify semantic characteristics of non-epistemic modality realized by ‘-l pephata’ and ‘-l manhata’. Modality can be divided into epistemic modality and root modality, which is non-epistemic modality. Epistemic modality expresses a speaker's judgment on the degree of factuality of the proposition, and root modality expresses the speaker's judgment on the likelihood of the state-of-affair. Some previous studies have seen that ‘-l pephata’ and ‘-l manhata’ express the judgment that it is possible for a situation to occur, which can be seen as pointing out that ‘-l pephata’ and ‘-l manhata’ represent the root modality. Root possibility meaning of ‘-l pephata’ and ‘-l manhata’ is analyzed by three criteria: ‘scope of the modal meaning’, ‘source of possibility’, and ‘potential barrier’. Root possibility expressed by ‘-l pephata’ corresponds to the [general situation possibility], which is wide-scope, has an external source, and has no potential barrier. In addition to the [general situation possibility], ‘-l manhata’ can express [Ability] which is narrow-scope, has an internal source. ‘-l pephata’ and ‘-l manhata’ which express [general situation possibility] differs in that ‘-l pephata’ expresses a judgement based on assimilated knowledge, whereas ‘-l manhata’ expresses a judgement based on unassimilated knowledge.

Cross Modality Feature Fusion Framework for Diabetic Retinopathy Image Classification

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a prevalent ocular condition and a prominent contributor to vision impairment in individuals with diabetes. Consistent monitoring through fundus photography and prompt intervention represents the most efficient strategy for controlling this ailment. Given the substantial diabetic patient population and their extensive screening needs, there is a growing inclination towards harnessing computer-aided and entirely automated methods for diagnosing DR. Over the past years, deep neural networks have achieved remarkable progress across a wide range of applications. Consequently, automating the diagnosis of DR and delivering tailored recommendations to DR patients underscores the significance of accurate and intricate DR classification. In this work, we have present a cross modality feature fusion based framework for diabetic retinopathy (DR) image classification. Here, cross modality means RGB image and it’s green channel. Initially, we have present multi-scale multi- receptive feature extraction block to learn the local and global features from both the modalities. Further, the learned features at various scale are fused effectively with present multi-level feature fusion block for image classification task. We evaluated our present framework on MESSIDOR and IDRID database by comparing it to state-of-the-art (SOTA) deep learning frame- works for DR image classification. The result analysis clearly demonstrate that the present cross-modality feature fusion based classification framework outperforms existing SOTA frameworks in terms of various evaluation parameters.

The potential of verbs of thinking in the implementation of the modal meaning of desirability, possibility in media discourse

The author, based on media texts, examines the verbs of thinking, think, decide and their derivatives. The subject of the study is the meaning of situational modality - the meaning of desirability, possibilities realized by verbs of thinking. The purpose of the work is to reveal the specifics of the modal functioning of the verbs thinking, think, decide and their derivatives. Achieving this goal is facilitated by solving the following tasks: 1) identify modal meanings realized by the verbs think and decide and their derivatives; 2) determine the conditions for the modal functioning of the above verbs. The goals and objectives of this work determined the choice of a comprehensive research methodology, including the following methods: functional-semantic, contextual, descriptive. As a result of the study, it was found that the verbs of thinking and decide and their derivatives are capable of realizing the modal meaning of desirability (variant meaning of intention), possibility, and in some cases the complex meaning of “desirability + possibility”. The scientific novelty of the article is determined by the material and subject of the study. The analysis of media texts made it possible to: 1) establish the lexical and grammatical basis of the modal functioning of verbs of thinking, the semantics of which implicitly contains a modal component; 2) determine the syntactic conditions for the implementation of the meanings of situational modality, which consist in the presence of a dependent (subjective) infinitive with the verb; 3) to conclude that the most frequent modal modifier in media discourse is the verb to decide and its derivatives. Observations and conclusions obtained as a result of the study stimulate further study of the specifics and conditions of the modal functioning of verbs of thinking in different spheres of social life.

러시아어『(что)бы + Vpast』구조의 양상(modality) 표현 연구

The purpose of this paper is to examine the characteristics of modality in Russian, particularly, in the structure of ‘(что)бы + Vpast’. Cross-linguistically subjunctive mood contains modal factors, such as volitions, wishes, counterfactual conditionals, necessity, desirability, etc. Generally, morphological markers for subjunctives are less than those for indicative. In the case of Russian, subjunctive mood is expressed as the structure of particle ‘(что)бы + Vpast’, which is a simplified form of 2/3 person, sg. aorist of Old Russian auxiliary быти+l-participle. Subjunctive more likely occurs in the complement clause in some languages, but Russian subjunctive can both in main clause, and in the complement clause. Also, subjunctive expresses modality and modal meaning both in phrasal sentence and in clausal sentence.
 Чтобы complementizer can be employed with various part of speech, such as verbs, nouns, adjectives, adverbs, and even prepositions with modal meaning. Modal meanings of lexical items projects to subordinate clause of чтобы+Vpast and causes the matrix subject’s wish, will, desire etc., to be realized in the sentence. In this structure, the subject of a subordinate clause must not be coindexed with that of matrix verbs by ‘Obviation Phenomenon’. Also, the Russian relative clauses take the structure of ‘бы+l-participle’ to express De Dicto reading for antecedent nominals.

한국어 교육을 위한 추측표현 ‘의존명사+싶다/하다’의 양태적 의미 연구

In this study, we aimed to investigate the modal meanings of the ‘bound noun + sipda/hada' construction and to analyze the characteristics of each phrase. ‘guess' and ‘possibility' are closely related as aspects of epistemic modality. The forms ‘-nun/ul tut-sipda/tut-hada/seong-sipda' subjective guess on the possibility of an event occuring. The forms ‘-nun/ul beop-hada/man-hada' signify an estimation of the possibility of an event occurring. Specifically, ‘-ul beop-hada' represents [inferential speculation], and ‘-ul man-hada' signifies [necessity], which are rooted in the meaining of the bound noun prior to its grammaticalization. It was suggested that the depiction of guessing expressions using the ‘bound noun + sipda/hada' structure
 in current Korean textbooks should be reviewed and supplemented. Furthermore, Grammar books for Korean language teachers for these guessing expressions are presented.

Structuration des sens dans l’espace textuel: les aspects cognitifs lexicaux et cognitifs synergiques

The article presents the results of cognitive-synergetic and lexicological research of the meaning formed in the text. The research is based on the “meaning and sense” dichotomy of cognitive lexicology, as well as cognitive semantics position on the close connection of cognition and communication, relying on the principle of multilevel analysis, the unity of language and speech. The unity of cognition and communication manifests in the need to examine text meanings within a cognitive-discursive paradigm, which allows analyzing the dialogue between the author and reader, mediated by the text. It is in the process of interaction between the author (addresser) and reader (recipient) that the author’s ideas (intentions), as well as various shades of the author’s modality meaning, are transmitted, and new senses come forth in the course of the reader’s interpretation of the narrative. The paper used a combination of cognitive-synergetic methods (discursive, conceptual, interpretive methods, fractal analysis, conceptual integration, and associative experiment). The purpose of the study is to identify the meanings of the author’s and reader’s fields in the text semantic space, to determine their types and to analyze the ways of their formation. The article considers three main meaning formation models based on the analysis of the literary text semantic space of I. Esenberlin’s novel “Nomads”: 1) the author’s meaning model; 2) a model of the meaning formed in the reader’s interpretative activity; 3) invariant meaning, formed in the recipient’s mind as different from the author’s. The author shows that the processability of meanings, i.e., that they generate new meanings in the discursive activity of the author and the reader, is common to all these models. The article also focuses on cognitive integration, when the reader’s sense is formed by taking into account social factors of other eras, the new assessment and the development of the author’s text meaning from modern positions. The novelty of the conducted research lies in the fact that, for the first time, an attempt is made to identify and describe the author’s and reader’s meanings, formed in the context both of the historical period and current times, based on the material of a literary text. In addition, the novelty of the research consists of the author’s attempt to apply a cognitive-synergetic approach to the analysis of the text semantic space. This approach is used in the process of analyzing the discourses of the author and the reader, aimed at the formation of various types of meanings (conveying the author’s ideas and evaluation of implicit meanings in the reader’s perception). As a result of the analysis, it was established that the semantic space of the text is a dynamic field in which various meanings generated by the author and the reader interact. In order to review them, a set of methods were used to unfold new word meanings in the text.

ИНТЕРНЕТ-КОММЕНТАРИЙ КАК ДИАЛОГИЧЕСКИЙ СЕТЕВОЙ ЖАНР

The article is devoted to the relevant problems of modern communicative linguistics and network genre studies. A comparative analysis of dialogic communication in live speech with dialogic communication on the Internet (within the framework of information and commentary blocks) was carried out according to the following criteria: 1) pragmatic coordinates of communication; 2) the type of dialogue according to the nature of the addressee; 3) the main factors influencing the organization of dialogic structures; 4) thematic specificity of the dialogues. Online comments is characterized as a response Internet genre, the texts of which are thematically, structurally-semantically and pragmatically closely related to the original (root) message (post) and form a kind of dialogic unity with it. The studied network genre meets the urgent need of Internet users for feedback and is a time-demanded media embodiment of the addressee factor. This genre is intended primarily to express the point of view of the addressee and various modal meanings of the sphere associated with the addressee: agreement or disagreement, approval or disapproval, various cognitive-modal assessments and qualifications.

Pragmatic Syncretism in the Use of Hedges (Based on Russian Thesis Reviews)

Introduction. The article deals with pragmatic syncretism and syncretic aspects of hedges – words and phrases used to mitigate claims, that is make them vaguer, more tentative and more uncertain. Hedges are looked upon as a type of discourse markers which are focused on the writer-reader interaction and the writer’s self-presentation.Methodology and sources. The research is based on the speech genre of the official thesis review known for its especially mitigated language, which may be determined by publicity of thesis defences at a viva voce in Russia, positive evaluation of thesis made at a predefence stage and potential personal relations of the degree seeker, their supervisor and the reviewer. The corpus of 64 reviews (about 90 000 words) written by Russian scholars was analyzed including reviews in linguistics, literature studies, history, physics, chemistry and medicine.Results and discussion. The author introduces the notion of pragmatic syncretism which involves the merging or assimilation of several pragmatic functions performed by one linguistic unit while realizing several illocutionary tasks. The research allowed to single out two varieties of hedges: 1) single purpose hedges aimed only at mitigation of claims and 2) general purpose hedges aimed at mitigation of claims together with some other interactive task. Among these additional tasks are the following: authorization (self-mentions), performative, evaluative in relation both to the proposition or to the words used by the author. According to the quantitative analysis, syncretic hedges make up 52 % of all hedges used in the reviews. The author provides the pragmatically oriented analysis of syncretic hedges realizing strategies of indetermination, subjectivisation and depersonalization. Strategies of subjectivisation and depersonalization are registered as most frequent.Conclusion. It is emphasized that hedges are predisposed to syncretic usage due to their inherent modal meanings which are realized integrally and which are, therefore, difficult to specify. The ontological ground of this tendency is associated with the symbiotic nature of human thinking where rational and sensuous baselines are naturally and productively reconciled.

PRAGMATIC ANALYSIS OF MODALIZED CONSTRUCTIONS IN DIFFERENT STRUCTURAL LANGUAGES

The article deals with the question of pragmatic identity of modalized constructions in the Russian, German and Udmurt languages. The article presents the utterances included in the speech act in interaction with modal means, which participate in the expression of a real-ontological situation. The aim is to describe the functional and pragmatic properties of Russian, German and Udmurt modalized utterances. Modalized constructions are formed with the help of special modal means, which include modal verbs and modal particles. It is noted that modal linguistic means in different-structured particle languages are characterized by a pragmatic orientation and reveal special principles of national language functioning. The pragmatic properties of modal particles appear in interaction with context and situation. It should be concluded that modalized constructions express communicative and pragmatic meanings with different communicative purports, depending on the contextual factors of the denoted reality, as well as due to the characteristic features of the subjective-modal shades of modal means.

Linguistic Means of Expressing Epistemic Modality in an English-language Scientific Text

Modality is a complex grammatical and functional-semantic category which is reflected in various types of discourse. The relevance of studying epistemic modality, reflecting the author’s knowledge of the reported information and his/her attitude to it from the point of view of its reliability, is determined by the necessity to analyze the linguistic features of its expression in a scientific text. The aim of the paper is to study morphological, lexical-syntactical and lexical means of expressing modality and to identify their pragmatic functions in English-language texts concerned with engineering. The study of the linguistic component in a scientific text will help foreign researchers present their scientific works in accordance with the authentic features of English. This determines the theoretical significance of studying the author’s means of expressing epistemic modality as a method for reasoning their scientific propositions, interacting with the target reader and expressing academic responsibility. The study of theoretical works by foreign and Russian scientists has shown that epistemic modality of a scientific text implements mainly the properties of the author’s subjective approach. However, unlike other types of discourse, the modality of a scientific text identifies a certain degree of objectivity in the author’s approach since it is characterized by the assessment of the reported information in terms of its reliability/unreliability. The given study assumes that the category of modality of any text, including a scientific one, is difficult to analyze statistically. It is known that the expression of the English text modality is characterized by imperceptible “transitions” between different levels of its implementation. Therefore, the paper considers some linguistic means at the morphological, lexical-syntactical and lexical levels. They include the verbal category of the imperative, subjunctive and presumptive types of mood, infinitive constructions, modal verbs and modal words of various parts of speech with the seme “expectation/assumption”. The article underlines an additional pragmatic aspect of modality means in an English-language scientific text concerned with the need for soft persuasion of the professional community to accept the information presented.