The expression of modality in Korean - Institut für ...

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(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
diiga apé-ti
(I heard the game and him, but didn’t see it or him)
diiga apé-yi
(I have seen evidence that he played: his distinctive shoe print on the
playing field. But I did not see him play)
diiga apé-yig
(I obtained information from someone else)
diiga apé-hiyi
(It is reasonable to assume that he did)
Evidential systems may differ enormously from language to language. I will, therefore
content myself for the moment with these principal remarks on evidentials.
1.1.3.5. Dynamic modality
The term dynamic modality was first coined by von Wright (1951, 28), albeit only in a
footnote, and linked with the concept of ability and disposition. It is one of the three
categories on which Palmer (1986) concentrates his analysis, the others being epistemic and
deontic modality. It is, however, not always clear what dynamic modality is precisely
understood to be. Palmer (1986, 103) includes non-epistemic possibility and necessity and
also uses the label „subject-oriented“ modality, and concludes that „if any kind of modality is
basic it is, surely, dynamic modality with its notions of willingness and ability“. Other
variations exist, such as Perkins’ (1983, 11) use of dynamic modality to refer to „the
relationship which exists betwen circumstances and unactualized events in accordance with
natural laws - e.g. those of physics“, but to also include Rescher’s boulomaic modality
(denoting, in essence, volition).
In this study, I will refer to dynamic ability as expressing solely the notion of ability
and disposition. Within this category of modality, I will further distinguish between two subtypes
of dynamic possibility, namely a) possible internal capability which implies an
environmental or contextual constraint, and b) possible internal knowledge or acquired
capability The first notion of dynamic modality may be illustrated by the following example
from Chinese (taken from Norman (1988, 166)):