Submitted to the English Applied Linguistics Study Program In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Magister Humaniora
By:
HIKMAH SUDANTI Registration Number: 8116111009
ENGLISH APPLIED LINGUISTICS STUDY PROGRAM
POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL
STATE UNIVERSITY OF MEDAN
MEDAN
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
First and foremost, the writer would like to direct her very special expression to Allah SWT the almighty and most merciful for the continuous blessing good health and luck until this piece of academic achievement appears in its present forms. The sincerest shalawat and greetings are also given to the great prophet Muhammad SAW for his invaluable struggle in making the people’s life better.
In the process of writing this thesis, the writer would like to extend her sincere and special thanks. Her gratitude is intended for her beloved parents, Shabriyah Simanjuntak and Sundari (Mother in law) for their endless love, prays, and supports both moral and material before, during and after her academic years at Postgraduate School Program of State University of Medan and special thanks also for her beloved husband, Juliswan, S. Pd., and her cute boys, Ahmad Erdogan Al-Fatih and Ahmad Mukrim Al-Hidayah who always give love, prays, motivation, support and also patience in assisting the writer in finishing this thesis.
The writer would like to express her sincere gratitude to Prof. Busmin Gurning, M.Pd., her first adviser and Dr. Aisyah Ginting, M. Pd., her second adviser, for their valuable advice, guidance, constructive comments and precious time spent on supervising and commenting the process of finishing this piece of academic writing.
The writer would like to give her special thanks to her reviewers and examiners Prof. Dr. Berlin Sibarani, M. Pd., Dr. Didik Santoso, M. Pd., and Prof. Dr. Sri Minda Murni, M. S. for their valuable input for completion of this thesis.
ii
Dr. Anni Holila Pulungan, M. Hum., and administration staff Farid Ma’ruf Harahap,
for the suggestions and administrative assistance during the completing of this thesis and all lectures who have given very valuable knowledge and science during her study at English Applied Linguistics Study Program Postgraduate School of State University of Medan.
Last but always forever, very special thanks to all lovely friends in the class A LTBI/XX as well and especially for her best sisters in the “Tarbiyah forever” in Sibolga and Medan Nina Lanina, Elvita Hidayat, KakAnnio Indah Lestari Nst, Mahya Humaira, Windy Sri Wahyuni, Rumaisho Hanniy, Fathur Rizqiyah and members of Al-Firqotu Hurun’iin for their love, encouragement, supports, and unforgettable experiences in this
thesis accomplishment.
May Allah SWT. Bless you all.
Medan, Juni 2016 The Writer
ABSTRACT
HIKMAH SUDANTI. Registration Number : 8116111009. Modality in Academic English Text.A Thesis.English Applied Linguistics Study Program.Postgraduate School.State University of Medan. 2016.
The aim of this study were (1) to find the types of modality used in academic journal of Natural Science English text, they were Physics, Medicine and Biology. (2) to find the most dominant type of modality used in academic journal of Physics, Medicine and Biology. (3) to investigates why modality used the way they are in academic journal of Physics, Medicine, and Biology. The data were modality that used modal verbs obtained from academic journal of Physics, Medicine, and Biology. This research applied qualitative reseach design. The data were collected through documentary technique. The findings of this study showed that: 1) There were two types of modality used in the academic journal of Physics, Medicine, and Biology, namely: modalization and modulation. Each of those two types was also divided into two types. The modalization was divided into ‘probability’ and
‘usuality’, while modulation was divided into ‘inclination’ and ‘obligation’. But, only three types that found in this research, they were probability, inclination and
obligation. ‘Usuality’ type not found the data it was because the authors of
academic journal of Natural Science certain enough with their hypotheses and experiment they made. 2) The most dominant types of modality used in the academic journal of Physics and Medicine was modalization (probability type) with high value which was indicated by using modal verb such as would, will,
can, could, may, must, should, etc to convey their attitude toward the events. 3)
The reason of those modals (may, will, would, can and could) used in the academic journal of Physics, Medicine, and Biology were that most of the
iv ABSTRAK
HIKMAH SUDANTI. Nomor Registrasi: 8116111009. Modalitas dalamTeks Akademik Bahasa Inggris. Thesis. Program Studi Linguistik Terapan Bahasa Inggris. Sekolah Pascasarjana. Universitas Negeri Medan. 2016.
Tujuan penelitian ini adalah: (1) untuk menemukan jenis/tipe modalitas yang digunakan dalam teks Bahasa Inggris jurnal akademik IPA, yaitu Fisika, Kedokteran dan Biologi. (2) untuk menemukan tipe modalitas yang paling dominan digunakan dalam teks jurnal akademik Fisika, Kedokteran dan Biologi. (3) untuk menyelidiki alasan penggunaan modalitas dalam teks jurnal akademik Fisika, Kedokteran dan Biology. Data adalah modalitas yang menggunakan modal verbs yang terdapat pada jurnal akademik Fisika, Kedokteran dan Biologi. Penelitian ini menerapkan desain penelitian kualitatif. Data dikumpulkan melalui teknik dokumentari. Temuan dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa: 1) ada dua jenis/tipe modalitas yang digunakan dalam jurnal akademik Fisika, Kedokteran dan Biologi, yaitu modalization dan modulation. Dimana masing-masing tipe dibedakan lagi menjadi dua yaitu Modalization dengan probability dan usuality dan Modulation dengan obligation dan inclination. Tapi hanya 3 tipe modalitas yang ditemukan dalam penelitian ini, yaitu probability, obligation dan inclination. Tipe usuality tidak ditemukan dalam penelitian ini, hal ini menunjukkan bahwa penulis jurnal akademik IPA cukup yakin/pasti dengan hipotesa dan eksperimen yang mereka lakukan. 2) jenis/tipe modalitas yang paling banyak digunakan dalam jurnal akademik Fisika, Kedokteran dan Biologi adalah modalization (tipe probability) dengan nilai tinggi yang ditunjukkan dengan penggunaan modal verb seperti would, will, can, could, may, must, should, untuk menunjukkan sikap penulis terhadap peristiwa. 3) alasan dari penggunaan modals (may, will, would, can and could) digunakan dalam jurnal Fisika, Kedokteran, dan Biologi adalah bahwa pendapat terbanyak dari penulis adalah mencoba mengomentari hipotesa mereka yang belum terjadi atau yang akan terjadi kemudian. Maka bisa dikatakan mereka cenderung membawa pembaca memberikan prediksi atau menebak tentang apa yang akan terjadi selanjutnya tapi masih diberikan perhatian terhadap hasil eksperimen yang telah dilakukan.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2.1. Syistemic Functional Grammar View on Modality ... 8
2.2 Modality ... 10
2.2.1 Area of Modality ... 12
2.2.2 Modality and Polarity ... 13
2.2.3 Realization of Modality ... 15
2.2.3.1 Modal Auxilaries ... 16
2.2.4 Coverage of Modality ... 18
2.2.5 The Orientation in Modality ... 19
2.3 Types of Modality ... 20
vi
2.5.2 Academic Writing Structure ... 31
2.6 Modality in Academic Writing ... 32
2.6.1 The Reason for Using Modality ... 32
2.7 The Relevant Studies ... 35
2.8 Conceptual Framework ... 37
CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHOD 3.1 Research Design... 39
3.2 Data and Source of Data ... 40
3.3 Technique for Collecting Data ... 41
3.4 Technique for Analyzing Data ... 41
3.5 Trustworthiness of the Data ... 44
CHAPTER IV DATA ANALYSIS, FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION 4.1 Data Analysis ... 46
4.1.1 Types of Modality in Academic Journal of Natural Science ... 53
4.1.1.1 Types of Modality in Academic Journal of Physics ... 54
4.1.1.2 Types of Modality in Academic Journal of Medicine ... 56
4.1.1.3 Types of Modality in Academic Journal of Biology ... 58
4.2.2 The Underlying Reason the Use of Modality in Academic Journal of Natural Science (Physics, Medicine and Biology) ... 60
4.3 Findings ... 61
4.4 Discussion ... 62
CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS 5.1 Conclusion ... 65
5.2 Suggestion ... 66
REFERENCES ... 67
APPENDIX A ... 69
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION 1.1The Background of the Study
The role of a language is determinedby its communication functions which
are influenced by the use of language units. The units structured systematically
are used to express meaning by considering to whom the language is delivered or
the aim of communication. Thus, from and function are two things that should be
taken into consideration in communication.
The use of language for communication, such as in books, journals, letters,
etc. are different. The difference is influenced by the characteristics of each
medium. The characteristics of media will influence how people use language and
how language is structured. The structured of language is relevant to the aim of
communication. The different objectives of language use need different units of
language. The difference in the use of language is influenced by the values or
perspectives that the writer holds. The ideology guides the writer to use the
language; and ideology invests language in various ways at various levels
(Fairclough, 1992:88).
Text as a unit of functional language is realized by clauses or sentences in
context; there is no text witout context. Thus, text that is used to express
information in certain context will be different to the text in different context. The
different is in the way of expressing information and the characteristics of
knowledge or science should be relevant to the basis of ideology or genre. The
to the grammatical structure, so that language can be used to express information
in scientific texts.
Academic journal text as an academic discourse is a medium of getting
values and exercise in discipline of science.Writing academic journal based
oncharacteristics of discipline whether natural science or social science and of
course use academic language or science language where this language must be
logic, systematically, communicative and simple to understand. Halliday
(1994:10) has identified three functional components of meaning in language
which is called metafuction namely, ideational function where language is used to
represent ideas, interpersonal function where language is used to exchange ideas
and textual function where language is used to organize ideas.
As explained above, one of the functions of language, as a social
phenomenon that has different function as purposed by Halliday is interpersonal
function where the language is used to enable us to participate with
communicative acts with other people. One of the realizations of interpersonal
function is called modality. Modality has been originally understood as the truth
value of the proposition logicians. It also might be construed as the relativization
of the validity of sentence meaning to a set of possible worlds or way in which
people could conceive the world to be different (Kiefer, 1994:2515). This means
that, modality allows the language users to express what is, what would be, what
may be and what should be. It can be said that, interpersonal function is realized
by using a delicate modality system, by which something can be affirmed or
3
what stance a speaker or a writer takes depends largely on the modality system
underlying the clauses. Thus from a systemic functional point of view, modality is
also considered as an indicator of attitude or a source of negotiation.
Modality plays an important role for the expression of argument and
opinion in academic writing. Modality refers to the intermediate choices
between yes and no (Halliday, 1985: 86). Very few ideas in academia can be
stated as ‘fact’ so using modality allows academic writers to express, with various
degrees of certainty, ideas that are not fact.
Patients do benefit (Yes)
Patients do not benefit (No)
Patients may benefit (Low certainty)
Patients always benefit (High certainty)
A moderate 'low modality' statement of opinion allows for a
more tentative conclusion to be drawn. It also appears to present a reasoned and
objective argument because it allows for the possibility of evidence contrary to
your claims. In comparison, a 'high modality' opinion can appeal to the emotions
and so can be perceived as persuasive and subjective. However, if there is sample
evidence to support the argument being presented then high modality is
appropriate. High modality language is also used in specific genres for specific
purposes such as to make recommendations on future research or problem
solutions.
Modality can be realized by various kinds of linguistics unit, such as
etc. Modals in academic writing can change a sentence’s meaning into a
prediction, suggestion, or a question. Modals can also serve a social function to
show uncertainty or politeness. They are especially common in discussion
sections of research papers.
Therefore, many students or readersface difficulties in understanding
modality when they read academic journal. They find difficulties in
comprehending many texts. It may modal verbs. In academic English writing
especially academic journal, modality with modal verbs are most frequently used
to indicate logical possibility and least frequently used to indicate permission.
The difficulties will be clear for the readers when they try to understand
the content of text, for example James C. Bird and team said in new Journal of
Physics: Nonetheless, we expect that any additional effects that increase the
deformation of the lamella, such as surface roughness or atmospheric pressure,
woulddecrease ∁.In this sentence the authors express the willingness to decrease
∁, because the focus of the model is on the liquid; since they do not consider
variation to the solid or surrounding gas, ∁ is a constant much greater than
one.Modal verb wouldin this sentence identified as modulation type, where
modulation is an expression of asking, directing or expression of our willingness
to get somebody to do something. Another example McMurray and friends said in
The New England Journal of Medicine:We estimated that the annual rate of the
primary end point would be 14.5 % and rare of death from cardiovascular causes
would be 7.0% in the enalapril group. In this sentence, the authors made
5
group. The meaning of would indicates a high degree of confidence in the truth of
the proposition. That is to say, they are used to express what we believe or guess
to be true (modalization type).
This study addressees to the use of modality in academic journalof English
text. In this case researcher chooses academic journal of Natural Science.It is
often believed that the writingacademic text, particularly scientific writing, is
factual, simply to convey facts and information. However it is now recognised
that an important feature of academic writing is the concept of cautious language,
often called "hedging" or "vague language". In other words, it is necessary to
make decisions about the stance on a particular subject, or the strength of the
claims we are making. Different subjects prefer to do this in different ways
.
Researcher here will analyze the language in journal academic of Natural
Science, they are journal of Physics,Medicine,and Biologyin the useof the types of
modality, whether modalizationor modulation. By knowing the types of modality,
the writers of journal can improve their knowledge about modality.
There are some reasons for selecting the topic as the subject matters. The
first, modality is one of important points to be discussed because through studying
modality and values one knows a personal judgement on, opinion, ‘flavor’ or
‘seasoning’ to an experiential content or a speech function by the addresser,
(Saragih, 2005:21). The second, modality is common used in spoken and written
texts. But without doing research, no one knows the types of modality and value
1.2The Problems of the Study
Based on the previous explanation the problems are formulation as the
following:
1. What typesof modalityare used inacademic journal of Natural Science
English text?
2. What the most dominant type of modality is used in academic journal of
Natural Science English text?
3. Why are the modality used the way they are in such context in
academicjournal of Natural Science English text?
1.3The Objectives of the Study
Based on the previous problems the objectives of this research are
formulated as:
1. todescribed types of modality used in academic journal of Natural Science
English text.
2. tofind the most dominant typeof modality used in academic journal of
Natural Science English text.
3. to investigates why modality used the way theyare in academic journal of
Natural Science English text.
1.4The Scope of the Study
The study applies the concept of modality proposed by Halliday. Research
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onoccurences of modality in academic journal of Natural Science English text,
they are Physics, Medicine and Biology. Thus, there are some realization of
modality such as modal verb, modal adverb, adjective, etc. here this research is
focused on the use of modal verb as the indicator of it.The approach taken in this
study is to look at the roles that the core modal auxiliary verbs (may, might, can,
could, will, would, shall, should, must) play. The modal auxiliaries are chosen
because they are used to perform many important functions in academic text, not
least that of qualifying statements (in their epistemic senses), but also in their
roles of indicating what is known as potential outcomes, and for forming
hypotheses.
1.5 The Significances of the Study
The findings of the study are regarded to be useful and relevant
theoretically and practically in some respects. Theoretically, the research findings
are expected to be useful for thosewho are interestedabout modality in academic
English text especially Natural Science English text.
Practically, the findings clarify or highlight understandings about
modality. It is hoped lecturers or studentsuse the findings as a reference in
teachingmodality. It is expected to be useful as one of the references to give more
information to the English students to find further research about modalityin
academic English text, especially in academic journal of Natural Scienceso that
65 5.1 Conclusions
Having analyzed the data, conclusions are drawn as the following:
1. Two types of modality were found in the academic journal of natural
science (Physics, Medicine, and Biology). They were modalization and
modulation. Each of those two types is also divided into two types. The modalization is divided into ‘probability’ and ‘usuality’, while modulation
is divided into ‘inclination’ and ‘obligation’. But, only three types that
found in this research, they are probability, inclination and obligation.‘Usuality’ type not found the data it was because the authors of
academic journal of Natural Science certain enough with their hypotheses
and experiment they made.
2. The most dominant type of modality used in the academic journal of
Physics, Medicine, and Biology was modalization (probability with high
value). The high value that used by the authors of the academic journal of
Physics, Medicine, and Biology showed that they were sure enough about
what they were writing since the experimental observation they did, the
strong evidences were shown and it could be convinced the readers.
3. Modalizationor probability type occureddominantly in academic journal
of Physics, Medicine, and Biology. A possible reason of those modals
66
Medicine, and Biologywere that most of the opinion’s authors tried to
comment on events (hypotheses) which have not happened yet or the
events that takes place in the future. So rather than to say something they
tend to convey the reader by making prediction or guessing about what
would happen next but still they paid attention to the existing fact (the
result of experiment).
5.2 Suggestions
With references to the conclusions, suggestions are staged as follows:
1. It is suggested that the writer of academic English should apply the
strategy of modality in their text proportionally to make sure that their
point of view is certain enough so they can persuade the reader
towards their point of view (hypothesis).
2. It is suggested that the students of English department should have a good comprehension in modality’s theory in order to be able to see
and comprehend the message in any text from the perspective of
functional grammar.
3. Students or other researchers are suggested to do further research in
modality theory on other type of text to enable us to see the contrast or the
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