THE MODALITY OF GERMAN AND UKRAINIAN VERBS. A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

Modality as a linguistic category is multifaceted. However, any study of modality begins with the logical and philosophical nature of this category. The article demonstrates the relationship between logical and linguistic modality. The latter has two main subtypes: objective and subjective, while logical modality, given the modal verbs as its markers, can be deontic and epistemic. The article analyses different variants of approaches to the description of linguistic modality proposed by German linguists. The article studies modal verbs in German used to express modality, analyses their semantic and grammatical features. It is found that the grammar of the Ukrainian language does not have a separate class of modal verbs, which distinguishes Ukrainian from German. Verbs that can express both subtypes of modality in their semantics form the class of auxiliary verbs in Ukrainian, which includes auxiliary verbs and modal-auxiliary verbs. A comparative analysis of the semantics of such verbs in both languages reveals similarities and differences: they all have modal force, but the difference between them lies in the degree of the latter, namely, some verbs have the degree of necessity / Notwendigkeit, and others have the degree of possibility / Möglichkeit. German modal verbs have undergone significant grammaticalization as a result of their specific feature of modal expression in this language. The Ukrainian language has a less extensive network of grammatical forms of modal verbs, and the subjunctive mood is not fundamentally characteristic of verbs expressing modality, but Ukrainian has a much greater semantic variety of verbs and verb forms expressing modality. All the differences identified are important to learn, as this guarantees the correct use of modal verbs and their grammatical word forms, especially the Indicative and Conditional Moods (Indikative – Konjunktiv).