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THE CATEGORIAL CONVERGENCE IN THE SYNCHRONIC AND DIACHRONIC PERSPECTIVES: THE CATEGORY OF MODALITY // Tomsk Journal of Linguistics and Anthropology. 2013. Issue 1 (1). P. 45-57

One of the major systemic features of a part of speech is its numerous and diverse overlaps of different categorial functions. On the other hand, a set of forms, organized into a paradigm of a part of speech, is not a closed inventory as the forms of a particular part of speech interact with the forms of other parts of speech. Apart from common functions, each category features an extensive «covert» set of functions which can potentially be realized as long as it is allowed and required by the holistic architectonics of the paradigm. The gradual disappearance of some categories and emergence of others is always paralleled with redistribution of functions of each category. The paper focuses on the interrelation of the grammatical category of mood with the category of tense and, more generally the convergence processes in temporal and modal reference, as well as interrelation of modality and aspect. The study is accomplished in a diachronic and typological perspective which allows revealing numerous overlaps of the corresponding categorial functions of different members of a verbal paradigm as well as diverse categorial shifts emerging in the process of language evolution. The «substitutional» function of grammatical forms (e.g. the indirect modal interpretation of the indicative forms, the indirect modal interpretation of aspect constructions, or, on the contrary, the indirect Aktionsart interpretation of the modal forms, etc.) arising from the general principle of the categorial convergence is a crucial factor.