Three arguments for a treatment of -vel as a dynamic modal

Abstract

In thisshort paper I argue that the suffix -vel ‘-ble’ in dispositionaladjectives (such as quebrável ‘breakable’, adorável ‘adorable’, durável‘durable’) behaves like a dynamic modal, and I offer three arguments in supportof this view. First, I show that it is particularly difficult to capture thequantificational force of the suffix, and consequently of the derived adjective,in the same way that it occurs with other dynamic modals, like ability-can anddispositional-will. Second, I show that -vel ‘-ble’, likeother dynamic expressions (e.g., can, will) is anchored to thesubject of the modal and relativized to bundles of property expressions, not topropositions. In other words, they share the same kind of modal base. Third, Ishow that both -vel ‘-ble’ and dynamic can have a veridicaleffect when combined with predicates that denote a sensation or experience. Finally,I conclude that the suffix -vel ‘-ble’ expresses dispositions, bestcaptured in the domain of dynamic modality as potentiality, rather than possibility,probability, moral obligation or causality (i.e., the trigger reading), as recentlyproposed by Resende & Rech (2020). This analysis affords a simpler, moreelegant explanation for the different interpretations associated with theseadjectives.@font-face{font-family:"Cambria Math";panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;mso-font-charset:0;mso-generic-font-family:roman;mso-font-pitch:variable;mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal{mso-style-unhide:no;mso-style-qformat:yes;mso-style-parent:"";margin:0in;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}.MsoChpDefault{mso-style-type:export-only;mso-default-props:yes;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:PT-BR;}div.WordSection1{page:WordSection1;}