Enablement and possibility
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Raphael Salkie
Abstract
We need a better explanation of the differences in meaning and use between can and may. This paper proposes that the underlying semantics of all uses of can is enablement, in a precise sense derived from the philosophy of action, while may expresses metalinguistic possibility, linking a proposition with another domain of propositions. The widespread belief among linguists that modality involves possible worlds is wrong: neither “modality” nor “possible worlds” play a part in the analysis. Semantically, sentences containing can and may are typically incomplete, but the missing information is different in each case. Both involve impliciture (n.b. not implicature), a pervasive pragmatic process. The two words can and may thus have complex but divergent semantic properties, yet there is nothing unusual about their pragmatics. The analysis draws on Kent Bach’s work on semantics and pragmatics, which assumes a sharp conceptual divide between meaning and use.
Abstract
We need a better explanation of the differences in meaning and use between can and may. This paper proposes that the underlying semantics of all uses of can is enablement, in a precise sense derived from the philosophy of action, while may expresses metalinguistic possibility, linking a proposition with another domain of propositions. The widespread belief among linguists that modality involves possible worlds is wrong: neither “modality” nor “possible worlds” play a part in the analysis. Semantically, sentences containing can and may are typically incomplete, but the missing information is different in each case. Both involve impliciture (n.b. not implicature), a pervasive pragmatic process. The two words can and may thus have complex but divergent semantic properties, yet there is nothing unusual about their pragmatics. The analysis draws on Kent Bach’s work on semantics and pragmatics, which assumes a sharp conceptual divide between meaning and use.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
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Part I. Formal properties of modality
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1 Formal properties of modality
- Interpreting modals by phase heads 19
- Evidentiality straddling T- and C-domains 43
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Part II. Typological surveys
- The syntax of modal polyfunctionality revisited 89
- Mora da as a marker of modal meanings in Macedonian 127
- Modal semantics and morphosyntax of the Latvian DEBITIVE 167
- Deontic or epistemic? habēre as a modal marker of future certainty in Macedonian 193
- Epistemic, evidential and attitudinal markers in clause-medial position in Cantonese 219
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Part III. Interfaces between mood and modality
- Modal particles in rationale clauses and related constructions 263
- Modal particles in causal clauses 291
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Part IV. Modality conceptualizations
- Enablement and possibility 319
- The modal category of sufficiency 353
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Part V. Diachronic derivation
- From agent-oriented modality to sequential 379
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Part VI. Covert modality
- A rare case of covert modality 409
- (C)Overt epistemic modality and its perspectival effects on the textual surface 457
- Dimensions of implicit modality in Igbo 485
- Index 507
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
-
Part I. Formal properties of modality
-
1 Formal properties of modality
- Interpreting modals by phase heads 19
- Evidentiality straddling T- and C-domains 43
-
Part II. Typological surveys
- The syntax of modal polyfunctionality revisited 89
- Mora da as a marker of modal meanings in Macedonian 127
- Modal semantics and morphosyntax of the Latvian DEBITIVE 167
- Deontic or epistemic? habēre as a modal marker of future certainty in Macedonian 193
- Epistemic, evidential and attitudinal markers in clause-medial position in Cantonese 219
-
Part III. Interfaces between mood and modality
- Modal particles in rationale clauses and related constructions 263
- Modal particles in causal clauses 291
-
Part IV. Modality conceptualizations
- Enablement and possibility 319
- The modal category of sufficiency 353
-
Part V. Diachronic derivation
- From agent-oriented modality to sequential 379
-
Part VI. Covert modality
- A rare case of covert modality 409
- (C)Overt epistemic modality and its perspectival effects on the textual surface 457
- Dimensions of implicit modality in Igbo 485
- Index 507
