A MODALIZAÇÃO EPISTÊMICA NA CONSTRUÇÃO DE SENTIDO: O CASO DO "EU ACHO (QUE)"

Abstract

Using a corpus consisting of four types of oral discourse, this paper looks at the role of epistemic modality as defined by Lyons (1977) and Coates (1987), in the construction of meaning by examining the most frequent epistemic verb form, I think. This form was found to express not only doubt as to the veracity of the proposition it modalizes, but also to hedge meaning in order to promote more cooperative interaction through face saving activities.