In Italian Sign Language and American Sign Language the forcefulness of the modal (such as the difference between вЂњshouldвЂќ and вЂњmustвЂќ) is indicated through having modals that are performed faster or larger or have a more intensive expression in how theyвЂ™re signed. We also talk about neat things modals do in various languages: in Nsyilxcen, the modal is a separate word, whereas in Nez Perce, itвЂ™s an affix on the verb, and in German, there are also modal adverbs. In this episode, your hosts Lauren Gawne and Gretchen McCulloch get enthusiastic about modals! We talk about the nine common modals in English, the gloriously-named quasimodals (no relation to the bellringer but I would absolutely read the Quasimodo/Quasimodal crossover, IвЂ™m just saying), and how people use the ambiguity between permission and believability in English modals for comic effect. In other words, we use a part of language known as modals and modality!

What will happen (or would, if only we should have known!) What we must and shall end up with. Other times, we get more hypothetical, and talk about how things could be.

Sometimes, we use language to make definite statements about how the world is. Episode 69: What we can, must, and should say about modals

Nerds of prey