Counter-argumentation and modality

Argumentative texts are essentially “modal texts”. They respond to the need of an encoder and/or addressee about stating the degree of truth and certainty with respect to some claims.In argumentation, every statement which is presented as a claim always needs an overt or non-overt argument which assures the addressee about the degree of certainty of that statement. The argument supporting a conclusion has the task of stating whether the implicit or triggered claim is true or false.The modal information is delivered by obligatory or optional argumentative categories.Optional counter-argumentative categories introduced by complementizers like although, nevertheless, at least, unless etc., function as super-modal operators questioning the truth-value of a given argumentation. The article is based on Lo Cascio’ s book 2009 and on Lo Cascio’s article 1995 on argumentation and modality.

Published online: 14 November 2014
https://doi.org/10.1075/slcs.165.04cas