Discourse Functions of Verb Mood in Postmodern Sonnets

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor in Persian Language and Literature, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

2 PhD candidate in Persian Language and Literature, University of Allameh Tabataba'i, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Extended abstract
1. Introduction
Various properties of each verb can encompass certain intentions among which mood and modality can be considered as the bearer of the main discourse meanings. In this study, various moods of verbs, and the reasons and ways of choosing indicative, subjunctive and imperative moods in postmodern sonnets (ghazal) have been investigated and the relationship or conflict of these moods with respect to dominant discourse is characterized.
     Postmodernism in Iran emerged in the 1990s and, in particular, in poetry by Reza Barahani. Paradox, defamiliarization, anti-enlightenment, desire for turmoil, colloquial language and language games are the main characteristics of postmodern poetry. A decade later, postmodernism entered classical poetry, and in this context, several works with features such as deviation, attention to language games, anti-enlightenment, deconstruction of common structures, dialogism and nihilism were created.
 
2. Theoretical framework
Modality as a constituent of sentence, reflects the attitude of the speaker about the accuracy of an utterance and the speaker's certainty in expressing a proposition that defines the type of social relations. Verb modality is a set of grammatical tools employed to show the speaker's attitude in the verb. Grammarians have enumerated three up to seven types of verb mood and have defined it as the occurrence or non-occurrence of an action in the form of indication, probability and imperative. Concerning the difference between the two ones, modality and mode have been considered to be semantic and grammatical categories in turn. 
3. Methodology
In this study, ten sets of postmodern sonnets have been investigated through qualitative method. The verb moods in these specific poems have been specified and their discursive functions have been examined.
 
4. Results and discussion
The use of an indicative mood in the present time represents a direct and passive narrative and shows the speaker's certainty in the veracity of propositions. The indicative mood is sometimes used in the sense of a subjunctive. Together with subjunctive elements such as modal verbs and adverbs, it creates a semantic change. Subjunctive mood also carries a sense of regret and emptiness. Imperative mood which often conveys a respectful and sincere request in the postmodern sonnet is more common in the form of present imperative. This mode changes the uniaxial speech and engages the poet in a conversation with the audience.
 
5. Conclusions and suggestions
To strengthen the certainty of utterances, poets make use of past and present indicative mood and in cases of uncertainty or hesitation and expression of regret, subjunctive mood is usually used. This challenge in the verb tense in the subjunctive mood is a discourse feature. In imperative mood, the poet engages the audience through directly addressing them in the process of creating meaning, getting out of passivity of other moods while contributing to the action and functionality of propositions.
 
 

Keywords

References

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Persian Language and Iranian Dialects
Volume 3, Issue 1 - Serial Number 5
Serial 5
September 2018
Pages 7-29

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