Short-circuited interpretations of modal verb constructions

Bert Cappelle (1) , Ilse Depraetere (1)

1 STL - Savoirs, Textes, Langage (STL) - UMR 8163

In this paper we aim to show how distinct semantic and pragmatic layers of modal interpretation can be fruitfully integrated within a constructionist approach. We discuss in detail a number of cases from the Simpsons where a modal verb, as part of a longer expression, has a short-circuited interpretation, that is, where it is conventionally associated with a context-specific modal semantic value and, in some cases, with added pragmatic information. Short-circuitedness is evidenced by the humorous effect that is obtained when a character wilfully or unknowingly ignores standard aspects of interpretation of such a modal verb construction.

Mots clés: modal meaning; semantics-pragmatics interface; short-circuited implicature; modal verb constructions; saturation; language humour; The Simpsons

Domaines: Linguistique

Bert Cappelle, Ilse Depraetere. Short-circuited interpretations of modal verb constructions. Constructions and Frames, 2016, 8, pp.7 - 39. ⟨10.1075/cf.8.1.02cap⟩. ⟨hal-01495695⟩