Abstract

Dai, Yanan. 2026. A Study on Modal Ambiguity Constructions in Chinese. Sign Languages and Linguistics Convergence Research, 3(1), 53-69. This study aims to investigate the syntactic and semantic characteristics of the Chinese ‘应该’ (yīnggāi) construction, which exhibits significant modal ambiguity. The paper distinguishes between the root modality interpretation, expressing the subject's obligation, and the epistemic modality interpretation, reflecting the speaker's conjecture, to examine their distinct grammatical matters. Through a comparative analysis of their syntactic hierarchies, the study demonstrates that as a root modal, ‘应该’ is merged below the TP (Tense Phrase) level; consequently, it can combine with inflectional affixes, be modified by degree adverbs, and remains subject to strict word-order constraints. In contrast, as an epistemic modal, ‘应该’ is merged at a higher position—above the TP or below the CP (Complementizer Phrase)—resulting in restricted combination with affixes and a lack of modification by modal adverbs. These findings suggest that ‘应该’ has undergone a process of grammaticalization, evolving from a less grammaticalized auxiliary verb into a subjective grammatical marker. Furthermore, the study explores the semantic correspondence between Chinese and Korean modal expressions, revealing that ‘应该’ as an obligatory (deontic) modal corresponds to the Korean construction ‘-어야 하다’, while its epistemic counterpart corresponds to ‘-을 것 같다’. Based on these findings, the study highlights the significance of syntactic hierarchy in resolving modal ambiguity and provides theoretical insights into the contrastive linguistics of Chinese and Korean.