3 Modality and mood in Tajik
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Sepideh Koohkan
Abstract
This chapter aims to introduce modality and mood in Tajik, both conceptually and in terms of the linguistic elements that express them. To do this, we use Nuyts’ approach (2000-2017) for modality, which groups the three primary categories of modality-dynamic, deontic, and epistemic-into a qualificational category with aspect, time, and evidentiality. Based on the data from Tajik grammars, our fieldwork data (gathered through interviews), and data analysis of three movies, we examine modal auxiliaries from a historical, syntactic, and semantic viewpoint. We also introduce those adverbs, adjectives, nouns, lexical verbs, and prepositional phrases which express modality, to show that modality is far broader than what Tajik grammars usually address. Most modal elements, particularly the auxiliaries, are polyfunctional, expressing a range of modal meanings. Finally, assuming mood as a morphological category, we consider four subcategories of it from Tajik grammars: indicative, imperative, subjunctive, and conjectural. Throughout our discussions, in a critical approach, we conclude that these subcategories should be re-defined by relying on more precise criteria. The developing trends of Tajik mood markers should be studied in future research as well.
Abstract
This chapter aims to introduce modality and mood in Tajik, both conceptually and in terms of the linguistic elements that express them. To do this, we use Nuyts’ approach (2000-2017) for modality, which groups the three primary categories of modality-dynamic, deontic, and epistemic-into a qualificational category with aspect, time, and evidentiality. Based on the data from Tajik grammars, our fieldwork data (gathered through interviews), and data analysis of three movies, we examine modal auxiliaries from a historical, syntactic, and semantic viewpoint. We also introduce those adverbs, adjectives, nouns, lexical verbs, and prepositional phrases which express modality, to show that modality is far broader than what Tajik grammars usually address. Most modal elements, particularly the auxiliaries, are polyfunctional, expressing a range of modal meanings. Finally, assuming mood as a morphological category, we consider four subcategories of it from Tajik grammars: indicative, imperative, subjunctive, and conjectural. Throughout our discussions, in a critical approach, we conclude that these subcategories should be re-defined by relying on more precise criteria. The developing trends of Tajik mood markers should be studied in future research as well.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- List of contributors VII
- 1 How Tajik was made into a national language 1
- 2 Standard Tajik phonology 45
- 3 Modality and mood in Tajik 109
- 4 Aspect in Tajik 183
- 5 Tajik Sign Language in context 229
- 6 Tajik dialects of Badakhshan and Shughnani: A comparative perspective 275
- 7 Linguistic landscape of Bukhara: The ambiguous future of Tajik 371
- 8 Terminology in Tajik 389
- Index 403
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- List of contributors VII
- 1 How Tajik was made into a national language 1
- 2 Standard Tajik phonology 45
- 3 Modality and mood in Tajik 109
- 4 Aspect in Tajik 183
- 5 Tajik Sign Language in context 229
- 6 Tajik dialects of Badakhshan and Shughnani: A comparative perspective 275
- 7 Linguistic landscape of Bukhara: The ambiguous future of Tajik 371
- 8 Terminology in Tajik 389
- Index 403
