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In fact, Sweetser is <strong>of</strong> the view that epistemic modality is not unrelated to root<br />

modality, but it is: "a metaphorical application <strong>of</strong> our sociophysical modal concepts to<br />

the epistemic world." (Sweetser 1990:68)<br />

The sociophysical concepts are the general forces and barriers in terms <strong>of</strong>which<br />

we understand our mental processes. She is also <strong>of</strong>the opinion that the root / epistemic<br />

contrast should be seen as a motivated polysemy relationship because both lexical items<br />

bear related senses. Such a po1ysemy is also cross linguistically common. Ifthe modals<br />

in question are monosemous this is not the case. Hughes (1995) says modal auxiliary<br />

verbs are used, over and above their grammatical function, to perform speech acts.<br />

Would + like<br />

This combination is used to express desire e.g.<br />

I would like to go overseas.<br />

It is also used in polite forms e.g.<br />

Would you like to wait?<br />

Would + mind<br />

This polite form is used to ask someone to do something for you.:<br />

Would you mind leaving?<br />

Would you like to help me?<br />

It is also used to ask permission:<br />

Would you mind if! use your car?<br />

Win and Shall<br />

WilLand Shall + the infinitive <strong>of</strong>the verb are used to form the future<br />

102

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