An Analysis of Modal Verbs in Gilaki Based on Palmer’s Framework

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Student, Linguistics Department, Faculty of Literature, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran

2 Professor , Linguistics Department, Faculty of Literature, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Modal verbs serve as tools for expressing possibility, necessity, obligation, permission, probability, intention, commitment, inclination, and courage, thereby reflecting the speaker’s attitude toward a person, object, event, or circumstance. This study aims to identify and describe modal verbs in the Gilaki language using a descriptive-analytical approach. To analyze and explain the precise function of these verbs, Palmer’s (2001) theoretical framework has been adopted, which categorizes modal verbs semantically into two main domains: propositional modality and event modality. Conducting interviews with five participants followed by data description and analysis, this study demonstrates that Gilaki modal verbs which include /vɑstən/ (to want/must), /bɑː/ or /bɑːjəsti/ (must/should), /ʃɑːstən/ (to be possible/worthy), /tunəstən/ (Eastern dialect) /tɑːnəstən/ (Western dialect) (to be able to), /xɑːstən/ (to want/wish), /jɑːrəstən/ (to dare/afford), and /be/ from the infinitive /buːstən/ (to be/become) cannot be rigidly placed into a single category within Palmer’s (2001) taxonomy. Indeed, as Palmer himself asserts, the role of context creates a continuous spectrum (a continuum) between these categories.

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References

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Journal of Linguistics & Iranian Languages
Volume 11, Issue 1
February 2026
Pages 63-90

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History

  • Receive Date: 14 June 2026
  • Revise Date: 04 August 2026
  • Accept Date: 09 September 2026

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