Semantic Mapping of Middle Persian Zoroastrian Modal Verbs based on Typological View

Abstract

This article examines the Zoroastian Middle Persian modal verbs in terms of typology. The type of research is qualitative and its method is descriptive-analytical. The framework in this study is adapted from Nauze. The Middle Persian modal verbs are: abāyēd, šāyēd, tuwān, sazēd and kāmistan. The data is collected through the Zoroastian Middle Persian texts. After collecting data, the type of modal verbs in the data was determined and then the semantic mapping of each verb was specified on the conceptual space. The results showed that Nauze framework is not suitable for covering the meaning of Zoroastian Middle Persian modal verbs. So, the probability axis was added on the vertical axis of the conceptual space. Also, this research showed that the Middle Persian data contradicts the typology that Nauze had presented.

Keywords

• modality
• modal verbs
• semantic mapping
• conceptual space
• nauze framework
• zoroastian middle persian