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MASARYK UNIVERSITY the Use of English Modal Verbs May, Might MASARYK UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF EDUCATION Department of English Language and Literature The use of English modal verbs may, might, can, could by Czech speakers of English Master’s thesis Brno 2020 Supervisor: Author: Mgr. Radek Vogel, Ph.D. Bc. Kristýna Kousalíková Proclamation Prohlašuji, že jsem závěrečnou diplomovou práci vypracovala samostatně, s využitím pouze citovaných pramenů, dalších informací a zdrojů v souladu s Disciplinárním řádem pro studenty Pedagogické fakulty Masarykovy univerzity a se zákonem č. 121/2000 Sb., o právu autorském, o právech souvisejících s právem autorským a o změně některých zákonů (autorský zákon), ve znění pozdějších předpisů. I hereby declare that I have written this master’s thesis independently, using only the primary and secondary sources listed in the bibliography. Brno, 20 April 2020 ……………………………………… Author´s signature Acknowledgements I would like to express thanks to my supervisor, Mgr. Radek Vogel, Ph.D., for his valuable advice, constant guidance and generous assistance he provided me with. I would also like to express my gratitude to my family, my boyfriend, friends and colleagues for their moral support and patience. Anotace Tato diplomová práce s názvem „Užívání anglických modálních sloves may, might, can, could českými rodilými mluvčími“ se zabývá různorodostí v užívání anglických modálních sloves u studentů anglického jazyka. Cílem této práce je analyzovat četnost a správnost užívání jednotlivých modálních sloves v běžné praxi. V teoretické části jsou vymezena základní gramatická pravidla pro užívání anglických modálních sloves, jejich historie a porovnání s českým překladem. Praktická část se věnuje kvantitativnímu šetření, jehož cílem je zjistit a dále analyzovat užívání anglických modálních sloves u žáků gymnázia ve Šlapanicích, a překladu modálních sloves do češtiny pomocí webové stránky Linguee. Abstract The present master’s thesis “The use of English modal verbs may, might, can, could by Czech speakers of English” deals with diverse use of modal verbs by students of English. The aim of the thesis is to identify frequency and correctness in the use of English modal verbs may, might, can and could. The basic grammar rules are defined in the theoretical part, along with their history and comparison with the Czech translation. The practical part includes the quantitative research which aims to analyse pupils’ use of English modal verbs along with the translation of modal verbs into Czech with the use of the web page Linguee. Klíčová slova modální slovesa, anglický jazyk, čeští rodilí mluvčí, gymnázium, překlad, historické pozadí Keywords modal verbs, English language, Czech native speakers, grammar school, translation, historical background List of contents 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 7 2 Introduction to verbs ................................................................................................. 9 2.1 The semantics of verbs ..................................................................................... 12 2.2 Verb Patterns ..................................................................................................... 13 3 Auxiliary verbs ........................................................................................................ 15 3.1 Distinctive properties of an auxiliary verb ....................................................... 16 4 Modal verbs ............................................................................................................. 17 4.1 Types of modality ............................................................................................. 17 4.2 Distinctive properties of a modal verb ............................................................. 19 4.3 Meaning of modal verbs ................................................................................... 22 4.3.1 Modals expressing ability ......................................................................... 22 4.3.2 Modals expressing possibility ................................................................... 23 4.3.3 Modals expressing permission – can, could, may, might .......................... 25 4.3.4 Unacceptability, prohibition – cannot, could not, may not ....................... 27 4.3.5 Concession – may ...................................................................................... 27 4.3.6 Conditionals .............................................................................................. 27 4.3.7 Offers, orders and requests ........................................................................ 28 4.3.8 Modals introducing what we want to say .................................................. 28 4.3.9 Conclusion – past reference, negative ....................................................... 29 4.3.10 Duty with reproach .................................................................................... 29 4.4 Important differences in the use between might and could .............................. 29 5 History of English ................................................................................................... 31 5.1 English as a global language ............................................................................ 31 5.2 Changes in English ........................................................................................... 32 5.2.1 Old English ............................................................................................... 32 5.2.2 Middle English .......................................................................................... 34 5.2.3 Beginnings of Modern English ................................................................. 36 6 English variations .................................................................................................... 37 6.1 Variation in modal auxiliary verbs ................................................................... 38 7 Czech translation of modal verbs ............................................................................ 39 8 Research at grammar school ................................................................................... 42 8.1 Grammar school in Šlapanice ........................................................................... 42 8.2 Testing students ................................................................................................ 42 8.2.1 Test: Exercise 1 ......................................................................................... 43 8.2.2 Test: Exercise 2 ......................................................................................... 59 8.3 How modal verbs are taught at grammar school in Šlapanice ......................... 67 8.4 Results of testing .............................................................................................. 67 8.4.1 The correctness of the used modal verbs .................................................. 68 8.4.2 The choice of modal verbs ........................................................................ 70 8.4.3 Possible influence of textbooks on modal verbs ....................................... 72 8.4.4 Comparison with the British National Corpus .......................................... 74 8.4.5 Teaching modal verbs as a grammar feature ............................................. 74 9 Czech translation of modal verbs may, might, can, could by Linguee .................... 75 9.1 Linguee ............................................................................................................. 75 9.2 Translations at Linguee ..................................................................................... 75 9.2.1 The modal verb can ................................................................................... 75 9.2.2 The modal verb could................................................................................ 76 9.2.3 The modal verb may .................................................................................. 77 9.2.4 The modal verb might ............................................................................... 77 9.3 Summary of findings from Linguee ................................................................. 78 10 Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 79 Resumé ............................................................................................................................ 81 Bibliography .................................................................................................................... 82 Appendices ...................................................................................................................... 85 1 Introduction In the present thesis I would like to focus on the use of English modal verbs may, might, can, could by Czech native speakers. In the thesis I analyse modal verbs as I find this grammatical item as a frequent and important part of English sentences which is also different from the Czech language. I have chosen this topic because I find it very interesting for me as I study English at the Faculty of Education. I also consider modal verbs to be very useful for all Czech learners who study English as a second language as they might enrich their use of modals in general. The ultimate goal of the thesis is to look into the topic of use of modal verbs and try to describe the use of English modal verbs may, might, can, could by Czech learners
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