Startseite A sociosemiotic interpretation of linguistic modality in legal settings
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A sociosemiotic interpretation of linguistic modality in legal settings

  • Le Cheng EMAIL logo und King Kui Sin
Veröffentlicht/Copyright: 27. Mai 2011
Semiotica
Aus der Zeitschrift Band 2011 Heft 185

Abstract

While a much investigated concept because of its importance in shaping human discourse, modality has still not been given an agreed understanding. Using authentic Chinese court judgments in Hong Kong, this paper aims to unravel the complexity of modality as exemplified in its usage in the legal domain. It examines formal, semantic, and functional approaches to modality, showing their weaknesses in identifying and explaining modality in legal discourse. It proposes a socio-semiotic approach as an alternative for giving us a better understanding of modality in respect of its meaning and function in our language as a sign system.

Published Online: 2011-05-27
Published in Print: 2011-June

© 2011 Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin/Boston

Heruntergeladen am 19.11.2025 von https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/semi.2011.036/pdf?lang=de
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