Филологические науки/4. Синтаксис: структура, семантика, функция

A.E. Karjhauova (student of group 2-080 GM), M.N. Shubakova (Master of Education (foreign languages)), O.I. Levina (Master of Arts of the philological speciality)

Karaganda State Medical University, Kazakhstan

Semantic meaning of the English modal verbs in Russian and their use in medical texts

A modal verb (also modal, modal auxiliary verb, modal auxiliary) is a type of auxiliary verb that is used to indicate modality – that is, likelihood, ability, permission, and obligation [1, p. 33].

A modal auxiliary verb gives much information about the function of the main verb that it governs.

Modals have a wide variety of communicative functions, but these functions can generally be related to a scale ranging from possibility ("may") to necessity ("must"), in terms of one of the following types of modality:

1. epistemic modality, concerned with the theoretical possibility of propositions being true or not true (including likelihood and certainty)

2. deontic modality, concerned with possibility and necessity in terms of freedom to act (including permission and duty)

3. dynamic modality, which may be distinguished from deontic modality, in that with dynamic modality, the conditioning factors are internal – the subject's own ability or willingness to act.

The following sentences illustrate epistemic and deontic uses of the English modal verb must:

1. epistemic: You must be starving. ("It is necessarily the case that you are starving.")

2. deontic: You must leave now. ("You are required to leave now.") [2].

Objective is to reveal the meanings of some English modal verbs and present the ways of their translation into Russian in medical texts.

Topicality is the necessity of investigating the use of modal verbs in medicine.

In the language of the scientific literature a large group of verbs expressing no action, but attitude of a speaker or writer to this action is found.

The author offers to consider the modal verb must, may (might):

This design expresses a significant degree of conviction of committing acts belonging to the past:

The doctor might have seen the pathological changes in the pharynx - Врач, несомненно, видел патологические изменения в глотке.

As well as:

They may be employed in the public health service. – Они могут работать в сфере здравоохранения.

Nurses must strictly obey the dentist’s instructions on the care and use of drugs. – Медсестры должны строго подчиняться указаниям стоматолога по уходу и использованию лекарственных средств.

Every child is unique and must be treated individually. – Каждый ребенок – личность и должен быть принят индивидуально.

Let's consider the modal verbs ought (to), should and would:

Modal verbs ought (to), should and would in combination with perfect infinitive indicate that the action must be perfect performed differently:

They should have paid more attention to the possible complications. – Следовало уделить больше внимания возможным осложнениям.

And on the other side:

The dentist should be alert when examining older patients for early signs of oral malignancy. – Стоматолог должен внимательно принимать пожилых пациентов, чтобы предотвратить первые признаки злокачественных опухолей ротовой полости.

The author offers to study the modal verb can (could):

Verb can (could) in the negative form, combined with perfect infinitive expresses doubts about the possibility of action in the past [3]:

The doctor could not have overlooked such a serious complication. – Не может быть, чтобы врач не заметил такого серьезного осложнения.

As well as:

Early loss of baby teeth can effect the development of the adult teeth and may result in need for expensive orthodontic treatment. – Ранняя потеря молочных зубов может повлиять на развитие коренных зубов, а также может привести к необходимости дорогого лечения.

Respiratory failure can occur during general anaesthesia. – Респираторная недостаточность может возникнуть во время общей анестезии.

According to the investigation we can resume revealing some points: a) translation of the modal verbs “must”, “may (might)” combined with perfect infinitive presents difficulty; b) the verbs “to have” and “to be” can perform the role of modal verbs expressing obligation.

References:

1. Palmer, F.R., Mood and Modality, Cambridge University Press, 2001.

2. en.wikipedia.org