Linguistic Means of Expressing Objective Epistemic Modality in Scientific Discourse

Abstract

The predicates typical of scientific discourse shown, proved, established , etc., which are used to present the results of the study are discussed in the article. The relevance of the study is due to the scientific significance of addressing the problem of discursive research of epistemic indicators of reliability in the context of the principles of the language postclassical logical analysis. The purpose of the study is to justify the “modality” of these constructions and describe the epistemic modal meaning that they bring to the proposition, as specific propositional attitudes. The methodology used in the article is based on some basic principles of modal (in particular, epistemic) logic and linguistic semantics of J. Lyons and E. V. Paducheva. The novelty of the study is in the fact that the pragmatic functions of the considered predicates are described. It is shown that, in addition to a simple statement, their value contains an epistemic modal component, which is based on the value of “provability” described by modal logic. It is established that this modal meaning correlates with the category of objective language modality. Particular attention is paid to logical and linguistic grounds on which these predicates are classified as modal. The question is raised about the functioning of these predicates in contexts complicated by indicators of subjective epistemic modality with a value of problematic certainty. It is concluded that the predicates shown, proved, established, and similar ones indicate the “objective” (verifiable) nature of the information presented and the author’s conviction of the reliability of the described data, and constructions with the indicated predicates also perform a rhetorical function and enhance the “persuasiveness” of the text.

Keywords

• epistemic modality
• scientific discourse
• rhetoric of science
• language of science
• modal logic
• semantics
• pragmatics