Hypothetical vs. realistic possibility as a fundamental modal distinction: Evidence from Jaminjung/Ngaliwurru

Description

This conference paper outlines the argument for a fundamental semantic distinction between hypothetical and realistic (circumstantial) modality in the non-epistemic domain – rarely discussed in the literature
Hypothetical possibility as employed here encompasses possible situations that align with stereotypical expectations about causes and effects, laws of natures, typical behaviours etc. in any possible worlds similar to the actual one in these respects.
Realistic possibility encompasses possible situations given the above plus constellations in the history of the actual world, at reference time; another term in the literature is circumstantial modality.
Evidence is presented from an Australian language, Jaminjung-Ngaliwurru, which manifests this distinction – and no others – in its (non-epistemic) modal system. The main use for the hypothetical modal marker in Jaminjung-Ngaliwurru is to discuss undesirable possibilities, e.g. in warnings, but it also occurs in all negated modal statements. The realistic possibility marker is used to convey intention, prediction, and deontic modality. The findings for Jaminjung-Ngaliwurru highlight how our current notions of “stereotypical”, “circumstantial”, “realistic” etc. used in the semantics literature need further refinement in the light of cross-linguistic findings.

Period	18 Apr 2019
Event title	European Australianist Workshop, University of Leuven, 2019
Event type	Conference
Location	Leuven, BelgiumShow on map