Danish modal verbs from a systemic functional perspective

Abstract

This article considers whether the Danish modal verbs can benefit from more semantic description in a systemic functional perspective. The interpersonal category modulation is predominantly expressed through modal verbs in Danish which is why modal verbs are the subject of this research.

Modulation has been presented in different ways in Danish SFL-presentations (Andersen, Petersen & Smedegaard 2001, Andersen & Smedegaard 2005, Andersen & Holsting 2015) under more or less apparent inspiration from the SFL-description of English (Halliday 1994, Halliday & Matthiessen 2004, Halliday & Matthiessen 2013).

Inspired by other functional founded descriptions (e.g. Bech 1951 and Hansen & Heltoft 2011) my aim is to further contribute by suggesting a more detailed systemic presentation of modulation which takes the semantic aspect of the modal verbs into account as well as how the inventory of modal verbs for example include three different verbs within the category ‘obligation’ (burde, måtte and skulle).

In the article, I propose how Gunnar Bech’s dimensions can be integrated in the system network of modality cf. Andersen & Holsting 2015 and thereby be used for developing a more nuanced description of modulation in a Danish SFL-perspective. The integration and its improvement opportunities are discussed in the article.