On the system of modals: particles and nominals (on the Kazymsky dialect of the Khanty language)

• Published in: Finno-Ugric World
• Main Author: Andrey D. Kaksin
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English; Russian
• Published: National Research Mordova State University; MRSU 2018
• Subjects: system of language; means of modality; modal words; particles; functioning of language units; the Kazymsky dialect of the Khanty language; Philology. Linguistics; P1-1091; khanty
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.010.2018.04.047-054; https://doaj.org/article/c6b94c246e364488a16375c22ea5952a

Following the interpretation of a modality as a complex functional and semantic category, which covers various private meaning (except for evidence ones), the author touches upon the question of consistency in the language. The systemically conditioned means of expression of modality in speech and texts is the problem of general and Finno-Ugric linguistics. The field records of the author (made in 1985–2001) and the works of Khanty literature served as actual material. In this article, the relationship between speech and text (written) is considered dialectically: they are not contrasted, as they are recognized as different, independent forms of language. However, it is emphasized that speech is by definition has richer intonation, while a written text does not have signs for an adequate and complete reflection of all nuances of pronunciation. It is thought that the basis for the exact expression of any of the modal meanings is the intonation of the phrase, which is different when expressing statements, wishes, consent, prohibition, possibility, necessity, and other attitudes emanating from the speaker. It recognizes a variety of means to express modality – intonation, lexical, grammatical, and mixed. Particles and modal names are defined as lexical (in the examples, it notes their combination with grammatical elements). Using the example of modal particles and names that function in the the Kazymsky dialect of the Khanty language, it defines the main features of consistency in the language.