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When you permit a person bythe use ofthe modal may, let and allow, you are:
"taking away or keeping away a potentially present barrier. "(Sweetser
1990:51)
Let and allow is about removing a physical or social barrier:
Please let me go.
May has more to do with social permission.
While Talrny takes the purely physica11eve! offorce dynamics as the most basic
of all, Sweetser views modality as basically referring to: "intentional, directed
barriers."( Sweetser 1990:52.)
MAY and MUST
According to Sweetser (1990:52) may and must are: "the most clearly forcedynamic
ofthe modals."
She concurs with Talmy's understanding of may as meaning a potential but
absent barrier. She also partly concurs with Talmy's understanding ofmust as meaning:
1990:52.)
"a barrier restricting one's domain of action to a certain single act." (Sweetser
But she feels that must has the force of an order to do something, a positive
compulsion rather that a negative restriction. She regards it as implying an irresistible
force. When you say to your child:
You must be in bed by eight o'clock
You are actually compelling him or her to choose a plan of action that will
facilitate being in bed by eight 0'clock.
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