A study on epistemic modality in English inspirational speeches

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING

QUY NHON UNIVERSITY

TRỊNH MAI SƯƠNG

A STUDY ON EPISTEMIC MODALITY IN

ENGLISH INSPIRATIONAL SPEECHES

Field English Linguistics

Code 8220201

Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Thị Thu Hiền

BỘ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO

TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC QUY NHƠN

TRỊNH MAI SƯƠNG

TÌNH THÁI NHẬN THỨC THỂ HIỆN TRONG

CÁC BÀI PHÁT BIỂU TRUYỀN CẢM HỨNG

BẰNG TIẾNG ANH

Chuyên ngành Ngôn ngữ Anh

Mã số 8220201

Người hướng dẫn: PGS.TS. Nguyễn Thị Thu Hiền

i

STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP

I certify that the thesis entitled A Study on Epistemic Modality in

English Inspirational Speeches is my own original work. I further declare

that this paper has not been submitted for the award of any other degree or

diploma. Any works of other authors consulted in this thesis are listed in the

reference.

Quy Nhon, 2021

ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The completion of this graduation thesis is the result of not only my

own efforts but also other assistance of organizations and individuals to

whom I would like to express my deepest gratitude.

First of all, I am sincerely grateful to my supervisor, Assoc. Prof. Dr.

Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, who has devoted her time and effort to giving critical

comments and precious advice for me in spite of her huge workload. Without

her patience and constant encouragement during the process of conducting

this study, the work would never have been completed.

Secondly, my warmest thanks go to all lecturers from the Department

of Foreign Languages and the staff of the Department of Postgraduate

Training for their valuable courses and endless support during my study at the

university.

Last but not least, I would like to take this opportunity to thank my

beloved family and friends, who have always believed in me and given me

strength to overcome all the troubles I encountered during the fulfillment of

this research.

iii

ABSTRACT

Epistemic modality has been a well-researched area for decades. The

present paper aims to investigate the employment of epistemic means namely

modal auxiliaries, modal adverbs, modal lexical verbs, modal adjectives and

modal nouns in the English inspirational speeches by native speakers. Both

qualitative and quantitative methods are mainly used combining with

descriptive methods to serve the process of data analysis. In this study, 30

inspirational speeches were transcribed from the inspiring videos on Youtube

and Ted Talks to form the data set. The data was then closely examined

regarding the various types of epistemic markers and degrees of commitment.

The findings indicate a clear preference for modal auxiliaries over other types

of epistemic markers. Meanwhile, modal nouns are the by far least frequent

type of markers in the data. The examination of epistemic devices also shows

the speaker’s tendency to select devices expressing the high commitment to

frame their statements with personal attitudes and opinions. The issues

unfolded from this study are hoped to offer a basis for further research related

to epistemic modality. It is also expected that the thesis could contribute to a

better understanding of epistemic means in communication in general and in

inspirational speeches in particular.

iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS

STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP ...................................................................i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..............................................................................ii

ABSTRACT....................................................................................................iiii

TABLE OF CONTENTS.................................................................................iv

LIST OF TABLES ..........................................................................................vi

LIST OF FIGURES......................................................................................... vii

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION.................................................................. 1

1.1. Rationale ................................................................................................. 1

1.2. Aim and objectives.................................................................................. 2

1.2.1. Aim ................................................................................................... 2

1.2.2. Objectives ......................................................................................... 3

1.3. Research questions.................................................................................. 3

1.4. Scope of the study................................................................................... 3

1.5. Design of the study ................................................................................. 4

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW...................................................... 5

2.1. Modality .................................................................................................. 5

2.1.1. Definition of Modality...................................................................... 5

2.1.2. Classification of Modality ................................................................ 7

2.2. Epistemic Modality................................................................................. 9

2.2.1. Definition of Epistemic Modality..................................................... 9

2.2.2. Classification of Epistemic Modality ............................................. 11

2.2.3. Epistemic Modality Markers .......................................................... 15

2.3. Theory of Motivation and Inspirational Speech ................................... 25

2.3.1. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs........................................................ 25

2.3.2. Inspirational Speech........................................................................ 27

v

2.4. A Review of Previous Study on Modality Used in Different Genres .. 29

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY............................................................... 33

3.1. Research Methods................................................................................. 33

3.2. Data Collection ..................................................................................... 33

3.3. Procedures............................................................................................. 34

3.4. Data analysis......................................................................................... 34

CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION........................................ 37

4.1. Frequency of EM markers in the speeches........................................... 37

4.1.1. Modal Auxiliaries........................................................................... 38

4.1.2. Modal Adverbs ............................................................................... 45

4.1.3. Modal Lexical Verbs ...................................................................... 49

4.1.4. Modal Adjectives............................................................................ 54

4.1.5. Modal Nouns................................................................................... 56

4.2. Degrees of commitment in the speeches............................................... 58

4.2.1. High Engagement ........................................................................... 60

4.2.2. Medium Engagement...................................................................... 63

4.2.2. Low Engagement ............................................................................ 66

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS ........................ 68

5.1. Conclusions........................................................................................... 68

5.2. Implications........................................................................................... 70

5.3. Limitations and Suggestions for Further Research............................... 71

REFERENCES.............................................................................................. 73

APPENDIX

vi

LIST OF TABLES

Table 2.1. The possibility/ necessity notions of epistemic, deontic and

dynamic modality. .......................................................................... 9

Table 2.2. Examples of judgments and evidentials......................................... 13

Table 2.3. Epistemic markers.......................................................................... 24

Table 4.1. Frequency and Distribution of Types of Epistemic Markers ........ 37

Table 4.2. Frequency and Distribution of Epistemic Modal Auxiliaries........ 38

Table 4.3. Frequency and Distribution of Epistemic Modal Adverbs............ 45

Table 4.4. Frequency and Distribution of Modal Lexical Verbs.................... 49

Table 4.5. Frequency and Distribution of Epistemic Modal Adjectives ........ 55

Table 4.6. Frequency and Distribution of High Engagement Markers........... 60

Table 4.7. Frequency and Distribution of Medium Engagement Markers..... 64

Table 4.8. Frequency and Distribution of Low Engagement Markers ........... 66

vii

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 2.1. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. ..................................................... 26

Figure 4.1. Distribution of types of epistemic markers. ................................. 38

Figure 4.2. Distribution of levels of commitment........................................... 59