rdf-syntax-grammar
mods:
  schema location: http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3 http://www.loc.gov/standards/mods/v3/mods-3-2.xsd
  title info:
    non sort: The
    title: use of modal auxiliaries in texts
    sub title: a semantic analysis
  name:
    name part: Fathima Rawshan Mohamed Zain
    role:
      role term: creator
  name:
    name part: International Islamic University Malaysia
    name part: Department of English Language and Literature
  genre: Theses, IIUM local
  origin info:
    place:
      place term: my
    place:
      place term: Kuala Lumpur
    publisher: Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia
    date issued: 2014
  language:
    language term: eng
  physical description:
    extent: xii, 91 leaves : ill. ; 30cm.
  abstract: This study aimed to investigate whether modal auxiliaries denote discrete semantic categories, or relational value of vague probabilities. In order to answer the research questions, authentic language texts from TESOL journals between 2012 and 2013 were analysed. From the selected texts, 528 occurrences of central modal auxiliaries were found. The data were analyzed using the analytical framework of Columbia School of Linguistics (CSL). The first template adhering to CSL framework tested the contextual dependency of each modal auxiliary in expressing the semantic categories, whereas the second template was utilized to rate the approximate probabilities of each occurrence. Descriptive statistics, along with textual analysis, was employed in analyzing the data. The findings reveal that the modal auxiliaries were contextually dependent in expressing the discrete semantic categories, and therefore they do not denote these categories. However, they do denote relational values of vague probabilities which can be placed in a hierarchical order with the highest member indicating high probability value and the lowest indicating low certainty of an event taking place or a proposition being carried out. This supports Huffman's (1989) observations as illustrated in his scale of probability model. The qualitative textual analysis suggests that there is an intangible and abstract link between the discrete semantic categories and the relational values. In fact, the semantic categories are identified to be indirect strategies that relate transparently to the scale of probability. This study recommends the incorporation of the scale of probability and its relation to the semantic senses in textbooks and teaching. Future research can study the use of modal auxiliaries in different genres and varieties of English, and attempt to refine the scale by analyzing more data.
  note: by Fathima Rawshan Mohamed Zain
  note: Abstracts in English and Arabic.
  note: " A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Human Science in English Language Studies."--On t.p.
  note: Thesis (MHSLG)--International Islamic University Malaysia, 2014
  note: Includes bibliographical references (leaves 87-89)
  subject:
    geographic code: a-my---
  subject:
    topic: Grammar, Comparative and general
    topic: Auxiliaries
  subject:
    topic: Auxiliaries (Grammar)
  subject:
    topic: English language
    topic: Auxiliary verbs
  subject:
    topic: English language
    topic: Semantics
  classification: PE1315.A8
  identifier: http://studentrepo.iium.edu.my/handle/123456789/7190
  record info:
    record content source: UIAM
    record creation date: 150107
    language of cataloging:
      language term: eng