La traducció de la modalitat deòntica i epistèmica del verb modal sollen en el corpus COVALT

Abstract

This paper analyses the translations of the modal verb sollen in the corpus COVALT. First, the deontic and epistemic modality of the verb in German and Catalan are pointed out, and a taxonomy on the use of sollen is suggested. Secondly, the uses of the verb sollen and their equivalences in Catalan are examined in the corpus COVALT. A quantitative approach to the data shows that the deontic modality is frequently real- ized by the use of haver + de + infinitive. However, to indicate a condition or an indirect obligation, the most frequent form is the expression que + subjunctive, while the future tense is chosen to signal intention or warning. Finally, a great variety of expressions are used in the case of epistemic modality. For instance, the translators make use of the following expressions: deure + infinitive, voler + infinitive, poder + infinitive, or haver + de + infinitive. Results from the present study suggest that translators are likely to rely on standardized forms to express deontic modality, while in the case of epistemic modality they maximize their own linguistic resources. [Keywords: sollen , translation, Catalan, deontic modality, epistemic modality]