The functions of modalities in describing the epistemological structure of Mathnavi

Abstract

The modalities are accounted some kind of linguistic features which deal with the relations caused between speaker & addressee. They can well emanate in form of the affective speech acts. It would be the multi-formal structure of Mathnavi (autobiographic, narrative, didactic, etc) that leads us on distinguishing a creative form of communication inside of the work. This one involves, in its turn, the variety of modals such as undeniable fact in Mathnavi. With respect to the mystical characteristics in language of Mathnavi, it is found important to study some kind of modals which represent widely ontologico-epistemological nature of this mentioned work. Our purpose is to show how the speaker employs logic modalities as one of the most influential modals to communicate his thoughts & states across the flow of the words. So, by favor of this mean, he informs his addressee from the system of his accepted values & concepts. This paper, whilst indicating the well-known manners of classification of modals, in the beginning, is devoted to specify what possible relations exist between modalities & the dominant epistemology in Mathnavi. & then, pursues his steps to accomplish the analysis of the role performed specially by logic modals in this chef d’oeuvre of Persian literature. © 2016, Tarbiat Modares University. All rights reserved.