Persian modal verbs and the expression of modality

Modal verbs and their different meanings can be investigated on the basis of various theoretical frameworks. In this paper، Persian modal verbs are examined and analyzed in terms of degrees and kinds of modality proposed by Palmer (1990). Our analysis shows that although bǎyad ‘must’ does not entail the proposition، it is used to express three degrees of epistemic modality، two degrees of dynamic modality and a degree of deontic modality. tavǎnestan ‘can’ and šodan ‘to become’، on the other hand، behave rather differently; they are used in expressing two degrees of epistemic modality، two degrees of deontic modality and a degree of dynamic modality. According to this research، Persian modals have the capacity to express all degrees and kinds of modality proposed by Palmer.