INTRODUCTORY-MODAL WORDS AND THE PROBLEM OF THEIR TEXT SEMANTICS

Abstract

Purpose. The article deals with the discursive semantics of the modal word вообще and its role in the formation of the text’s point of view. Methodology and Approach. The author analyzes the corpus of texts that include the modal word вообще, makes observations about the dependence of discursive semantics on the position in a sentence, and reveals modal meanings of the unit in its different uses. Results. The article presents differences between the modal particle and the introductory modal word. In all its uses, вообще gives an assessment. Each, acting as a means of communication, a particle and an introductory modal word, combines and generalizes different meanings. The work demonstrates the modus specificity of a particle accumulating the meanings of the proximity to the threshold of the norm - commonness, conventionality, repeatability. The introductory word has its characteristics. It generalizes the previous context, softens the meaning of the message, warns that the speaker does not attach particular importance to the information. Theoretical and Practical Implications. Implications relate to the identification of the discursive semantics of the modal word вообще formed by the conditions of text use. The connection of different uses вообще with an internal or external point of view is shown. The modus features of the particle and the introductory modal word are presented.

Keywords

• modus
• discursive semantics
• point of view
• introductory-modal word