Decline and loss in the modal domain in recent English*
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Svenja Kranich
Abstract
Numerous corpus studies have firmly established that in recent English, most core modals (e.g. must) have been declining in frequency, while the semi-modals (e.g. have to) have been on the rise (cf. e.g. Krug 2000; Mair & Leech 2006; Leech & Smith 2006). The present paper follows the constructional approach to modal meaning taken by Cappelle and Depraetere (2016), who show that modals tend to occur in certain contexts with particular meaning. An investigation of a sample of may and must in COHA (1960s & 2000s) shows that the decline of the modals (and the foreshadowed loss of some) may be witnessed particularly in the demise of certain constructions. A close-up investigation shows the construction we + may + verb of speaking/reasoning is on its way to be lost. Relevant factors (genre, function, culture) are discussed and suggestions about the general implications of the loss of this particular construction will be presented.
Abstract
Numerous corpus studies have firmly established that in recent English, most core modals (e.g. must) have been declining in frequency, while the semi-modals (e.g. have to) have been on the rise (cf. e.g. Krug 2000; Mair & Leech 2006; Leech & Smith 2006). The present paper follows the constructional approach to modal meaning taken by Cappelle and Depraetere (2016), who show that modals tend to occur in certain contexts with particular meaning. An investigation of a sample of may and must in COHA (1960s & 2000s) shows that the decline of the modals (and the foreshadowed loss of some) may be witnessed particularly in the demise of certain constructions. A close-up investigation shows the construction we + may + verb of speaking/reasoning is on its way to be lost. Relevant factors (genre, function, culture) are discussed and suggestions about the general implications of the loss of this particular construction will be presented.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Lost in Change 1
-
Part I. Modelling loss: Description, theory and method
- A typological perspective on the loss of inflection* 21
- So -adj- a construction as a case of obsolescence in progress 51
- The impersonal construction in the texts of Updated Old English 75
- Corpus driven identification of lexical bundle obsolescence in Late Modern English 101
- A constructional account of the loss of the adverse avertive schema in Mandarin Chinese 131
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Part II. Motivations and explanations for loss: Language-internal and external factors
- Loss or variation? Functional load in morpho-syntax – Three case studies 161
- “The next Morning I got a Warrant for the Man and his Wife, but he was fled” 199
- On the waning of forms – A corpus-based analysis of decline and loss in adjective amplification 235
- Decline and loss in the modal domain in recent English* 261
- German so -relatives 291
- Loss of object indexation in verbal paradigms of Koĩc (Tibeto-Burman, Nepal) 333
- Index 363
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Lost in Change 1
-
Part I. Modelling loss: Description, theory and method
- A typological perspective on the loss of inflection* 21
- So -adj- a construction as a case of obsolescence in progress 51
- The impersonal construction in the texts of Updated Old English 75
- Corpus driven identification of lexical bundle obsolescence in Late Modern English 101
- A constructional account of the loss of the adverse avertive schema in Mandarin Chinese 131
-
Part II. Motivations and explanations for loss: Language-internal and external factors
- Loss or variation? Functional load in morpho-syntax – Three case studies 161
- “The next Morning I got a Warrant for the Man and his Wife, but he was fled” 199
- On the waning of forms – A corpus-based analysis of decline and loss in adjective amplification 235
- Decline and loss in the modal domain in recent English* 261
- German so -relatives 291
- Loss of object indexation in verbal paradigms of Koĩc (Tibeto-Burman, Nepal) 333
- Index 363
