Semantic study of modal verbs in Taleshi

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Assistant Professor, Linguistics Department, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The present study investigates a semantic analysis of modal verbs in Taleshi language (Masal dialect) based on Palmer’s theoretical framework (1990). Palmer classified three types of modality: epistemic, deontic and dynamic, each of which can be expressed through two degrees: possibility and necessity. The methodology of this research is descriptive- analytical and data were collected through audio recordings from 7 Taleshi native speakers. After data collection, the modal verbs were categorized and analyzed based on Palmer’s classification of modality. The obtained modal verbs include four verbs;” ʃɑ”, “bu”, “bi” and “xɑ”. The results showed that “ʃɑ” and “bu” are used to express epistemic possibility, deontic possibility and dynamic possibility. The modal verb bi indicates epistemic necessity, deontic necessity and dynamic necessity. The last modal verb “xɑ” and its past form” xɑi” are used to express only dynamic possibility. Also two different past forms of “ʃɑ” which are “ʃɑst” and “ʃɑi” indicate only dynamic possibility.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Persian Language and Iranian Dialects

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 25 September 2025

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