Get Modals in the Languages of Europe: A Reference Work PDF

This booklet is the 1st accomplished survey of modals and modal buildings within the languages of Europe. it's a collaborative attempt among students from Europe and the us, stemming from a workshop on Modals within the Languages of Europe in Valencia.

The objective of this e-book is to explain the homes of modals and modal structures within the ecu quarter and to check the structures in person languages or language households from an areal and genetic standpoint. For the sake of distinction, the booklet additionally seems on the expression of modality in a few languages simply outdoors of Europe. The publication includes fourteen chapters on modal structures in person languages or language households, written by means of specialists within the respective languages, and an introductory and concluding bankruptcy, written via the editors.

The ebook offers either an outline of the modals within the person languages and an account of the character and standing of modals ordinarily. It offers the reader with a theoretical account of the way modals and modal buildings are grammaticalized. This theoretical account is proficient by means of the parameters of grammaticalization of Christian Lehmann. those parameters have been selected simply because they're language-independent, rather than extra language particular standards (for example, the NICE-criteria for English). The parameters themselves are tested in addition for his or her suitability as a part of any idea of grammaticalization.

The publication therefore supplies readers entry to a suite of information on modality that surpasses such a lot works during this box and in addition offers a clean viewpoint on problems with grammaticalization and language touch. it truly is consequently of curiosity to students of modality, language touch and areal linguistics, grammaticalization idea and typology.