What is commissive modality?

Definition
	Commissive modality is a deontic modality that connotes the speaker's expressed commitment, as a promise or threat, to bring about the proposition expressed by the utterance.

Discussion
	If the usage of the term commissive modality is extended beyond solely grammaticalized means of expression, it becomes nearly synonymous with commissive illocutionary point.

Example (English)
	All elections shall take place on schedule.
	This statement is understood as the speaker’s own commitment to avoid delays.

Generic
	Commissive modality is a kind of
	What is deontic modality?

Source
	Palmer 1986 115–116

Context for this page:

Concept module: commissive modality
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): C
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004

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