The phenomenon of predication and modal particles

Abstract

The article concerns the concept of predication that can be implemented in various units according to the levels of speech activity. The predication can be regarded – in the sphere of morphology as an immanent attribute of the Verb in personal form, (and the Adjective in some cases). In Syntax it is as a function of a Predicate. But besides that some features connected with the predication (uttering) can be proclaimed to be the principle property of a rheme (or comment). All these quants of sense of an utterance can enter into the scope of some modal (discourse) particles (the case of Russian is analyzed). More than 1200 examples of modal (emphasizing) Russian particles are taken into consideration and their principle meanings are denoted. As there is some difference in the usage of particles (some are used only with rhemes, some with predicates etc.) their comparison makes it possible to characterize the concepts in focus according to the similarity or differences in their combinations with particles. A hierarchy of the concepts concerning predication is offered: the Verb – the Predicate – the Modus (vs Dictum) – the Rheme (of the whole utterance and of some parts of it). The particles reveal the similarity of these concepts.