Modal particle: Difference between revisions

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In [[linguistics]], '''modal particles''' are always [[uninflected word]]s, and are a type of [[grammatical particle]]. They are used to indicate how the speaker thinks that the content of the sentence relates to the participants' [[grounding in communication|common knowledge]]<ref>Fabian Bross (2012): [http://helikon-online.de/2012/Bross_Particles.pdf German modal particles and the common ground]. In: Helikon. A Multidisciplinary Online Journal, 2. 182-209.</ref> or add mood to the meaning of the sentence.<ref name="Zichtbaar Nederlands">{{Cite web|url=https://zichtbaarnederlands.nl/zn/bijwoord-modale_partikels.php?taal=en|title=Modal particles: even, eens, nou, maar, misschien, ...|last=|first=|date=November 29, 2018|website=Zichtbaar Nederlands|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref> Languages that use many modal particles in their spoken form include [[Dutch language|Dutch]], [[Danish language|Danish]], [[German language|German]], [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]], [[Russian language|Russian]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Nepali language|Nepali]], [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]], [[Chinese language|Chinese]] and [[Japanese language|Japanese]].<ref>[http://dutchcentre.group.shef.ac.uk/advanced.dutch.grammar/mod_par.php?PHPSESSID=c40f574d03dcb5ffb37b8e924fde3caaAdvanced Dutch Grammar:politeness - Beleefdheid Modal particle - Modale partikels]{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} retrieved 2009-01-01 and [https://books.google.com/books?id=Q7MVBgAAQBAJ&pg=PT3&lpg=PT3&dq=modal+particles+chinese&source=bl&ots=treIAN1LOu&sig=uNoqM32peFpcRG3_SU9exkf13ik&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAjgKahUKEwiG_6DZwpDHAhXDcD4KHafsCuM#v=onepage&q=modal%20particles%20chinese&f=false Modal Particles By Keith Robinson, Wang Lingli] retrieved 2015-08-04 </ref> The [[untranslatability|translation is often not straightforward]] and depends on the context.

==Examples==

===German===

The German particle ''ja'' is used to indicate that a sentence contains information that is obvious or already known to both the speaker and the hearer. The sentence ''Der neue Teppich ist rot'' means "The new carpet is red". ''Der neue Teppich ist '''ja''' rot'' may thus mean "As we are both aware, the new carpet is red", which would typically be followed by some conclusion from this fact. However, if the speaker says the same thing upon first seeing the new carpet, the meaning is "I'm seeing that the carpet is obviously red", which would typically express surprise.

===Dutch===

In Dutch, modal particles are frequently used to add mood to a sentence, especially in spoken language. For instance:<ref name="Zichtbaar Nederlands">< /ref>

* Politeness

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** ''Weet u '''misschien''' waar het station is?'' ("Do you perhaps know where the train station is?")<br> ''Misschien'' here denotes a very polite and friendly request: "Could you tell me the way to the train station, please?"

** ''Wil je '''soms''' wat drinken?'' ("Do you occasionally want a drink?")<br>''Soms'' here conveys a sincere interest in the answer to a question: "I'm curious if you would like to drink something?"

* Frustration

** ''Doe het '''toch maar'''.'' ("Do it nevertheless, however.")<br>''Toch'' here indicates anger and ''maar'' lack of consideration: "I don't really care what you think, just do it!"

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[[Category:Parts of speech]]

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