The question about the grammaticalization process of the modal auxiliary verbs from Old English to Modern English is a highly discussed topic among linguistics and scholars today. It is undisputed that, in the English that is spoken today, words like 'should', 'could' etc. form a separate category, or rather a subcategory, 'modal' that does not only syntactically differ from the usual English verbs, but also morphologically. That is, of course with the exception of a few regional variations such as for example Scots, but since the main focus of this paper is on the standard British and American English dialects, those regional non-standard dialects will not be taken into consideration here.
For every native and average non-native speaker, it is natural that modals like 'will' for example don't take the obligatory inflectional ending -s in third person singular present. Or that 'should', 'would' or 'could' do not have past tense meaning, although the forms itself are actually a past form. And it is also natural that just those verbs, which we subcategorize as modals, will neither appear as infinitives with 'to' (*'I have to will'), nor do they require 'to' in combination with regular verbs (*'I should to go').
Today we instinctively know that those usual grammatical rules that regular verbs require to be followed in order to correctly be embedded in a sentence, don't apply to the modals. How did we get to this point, though?
In the following paper I want to take a closer look at how the modals developed from regularly inflectional verbs, that they still were in Old English, to this new category 'modal' which is no longer a full verb that can stand alone in a sentence, but more of a grammatical function that signals either epistemic or deontic meaning.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. A general outline of the history and function of the modals in the English language
- 2.1 The grammaticalization – catastrophic or long-term change?
- 2.2 The Pre-Modals in OE – Full verbs?
- 3. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to investigate the development of English modal auxiliary verbs from Old English to Modern English. It explores the grammaticalization process, examining whether it was a gradual, long-term change or a sudden, catastrophic restructuring. The analysis considers the status of pre-modals in Old English and their evolution into a distinct grammatical category.
- Grammaticalization of English modal verbs
- Catastrophic vs. gradual linguistic change
- The status and function of pre-modals in Old English
- The role of the Great Vowel Shift
- The loss of the subjunctive mood
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by establishing the central research question: how did English modal verbs evolve from full verbs in Old English to their current status as a distinct grammatical category? The author highlights the unique syntactic and morphological characteristics of modern English modals, contrasting them with regular verbs and emphasizing the need to understand their historical development. The chapter outlines the paper's structure, indicating the author's intention to explore both the general history of English modals and the contrasting theories of catastrophic versus gradual grammaticalization, focusing on the analyses of David Lightfoot and Frans Plank.
2. A general outline of the history and function of the modals in the English language: This chapter provides a broad overview of the historical evolution of English modal verbs. It traces their origins as full verbs in Old English (e.g., "willan," "scullan") and explains the process by which they lost much of their original semantic meaning and transformed into grammatical markers of mood (epistemic or deontic) and tense. The chapter connects this development to the loss of the subjunctive mood in English, arguing that the rise of modals filled a gap created by the Great Vowel Shift which obscured subjunctive inflectional endings. The chapter also touches upon the development of periphrastic modals ("have to," "be able to") to compensate for limitations imposed on the grammaticalized modals.
2.1 The grammaticalization – catastrophic or long-term change?: This chapter delves into the debate surrounding the nature of the grammaticalization process of English modals. It presents contrasting views from prominent linguists like David Lightfoot, who advocates for a catastrophic change involving a radical restructuring of English grammar, and implicitly contrasts this with the view of Frans Plank, suggesting a more gradual process. Lightfoot's theory, focusing on the loss of direct objects by pre-modals and the disappearance of non-modal preterite-presents, is examined in detail. The chapter explores Lightfoot's arguments, highlighting his assertion that changes in one part of the grammatical system inevitably trigger chain reactions elsewhere, leading to a significant restructuring.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
English modal verbs, grammaticalization, diachronic syntax, Old English, Middle English, Great Vowel Shift, subjunctive mood, catastrophic change, gradual change, David Lightfoot, Frans Plank, pre-modals, preterite-presents.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of English Modal Verbs
What is the overall topic of this language preview?
This preview comprehensively covers the historical development of English modal auxiliary verbs from Old English to Modern English. It focuses on the grammaticalization process, exploring whether this change was gradual or catastrophic, and examines the role of pre-modals in Old English.
What are the key themes explored in this preview?
Key themes include the grammaticalization of English modal verbs, the debate between catastrophic versus gradual linguistic change, the function and status of pre-modals in Old English, the impact of the Great Vowel Shift, and the loss of the subjunctive mood.
What is the structure of the preview?
The preview is structured into an introduction, a chapter outlining the history and function of modals, a section dedicated to the catastrophic vs. gradual change debate, and a conclusion. It also includes a table of contents, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What is the main research question addressed?
The central research question is how English modal verbs evolved from full verbs in Old English to their current status as a distinct grammatical category.
How does the preview address the grammaticalization process?
The preview examines the grammaticalization of English modals, contrasting theories of catastrophic change (as proposed by David Lightfoot) which suggests a radical restructuring of English grammar, with more gradual change perspectives (implicitly contrasted with the work of Frans Plank).
What is the significance of Old English pre-modals?
The preview analyzes the status and function of pre-modals in Old English and their evolution into a distinct grammatical category. This includes examining the loss of direct objects by these pre-modals and the disappearance of non-modal preterite-presents, key points in Lightfoot's catastrophic change theory.
What role did the Great Vowel Shift play?
The preview explores the connection between the Great Vowel Shift, the loss of the subjunctive mood, and the rise of modal verbs. The shift is argued to have obscured subjunctive inflectional endings, creating a gap filled by the development of modals.
What are the contrasting perspectives on the nature of grammatical change discussed?
The preview presents contrasting views of David Lightfoot (catastrophic change) and Frans Plank (implicitly presented as advocating for a more gradual process), focusing on the evidence for radical restructuring versus a more incremental evolution of the English modal system.
What are some key terms used in this preview?
Key terms include English modal verbs, grammaticalization, diachronic syntax, Old English, Middle English, Great Vowel Shift, subjunctive mood, catastrophic change, gradual change, David Lightfoot, Frans Plank, pre-modals, and preterite-presents.
Where can I find more detailed information on the topics discussed?
This preview provides a summary; for more detailed information, consult the full text (the full academic work which this is a preview of).
- Arbeit zitieren
- Katharina Reese (Autor:in), 2007, The Development of the English Modals, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/163254
