modal adverbs and pragmatic functions (pragmaticalization)

What is it about?

This study examines the modal adverbs in English including doubtless, indeed, no doubt, and of course from a functional perspective. To adopt a more comprehensive view of the set of modal adverbs, I compare the behaviors of the modal adverbs without -ly to those with -ly in terms of their discourse and interpersonal functions in the text, and present the relationship between form and function of the modal adverbs.

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Why is it important?

The results of the analysis demonstrate that the modal adverbs that convey the same degree of probability fulfill different functions at the discourse-pragmatic level. Moreover, the modal adverbs without -ly have increased their pragmatic functions over time, thus signaling a short-term diachronic development (i.e. pragmaticalization).