Language Study at Key Stages 2 and 3

Text analyses and commentaries

1 Modality – Horoscopes and the Highway Code

Activity 1.1

Ask trainees to read the extract below from Teen horoscopes for April 2006 or download and read Teen Horoscopes for the current month at http://www.teentoday.co.uk/horoscopes/

Teen horoscopes for April 2006

Aquarius - Your devotion will be persuasive. Your childlike quality may get you into big trouble this month if you neglect your responsibilities. You can make money through your own creative efforts. Make some notes regarding the changes that you should make.
Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.
Libra - Remain calm and you'll shine. Passion should be your goal. Do not reveal personal information to those you feel may be untrustworthy. Invite friends over rather than spending money on lavish entertainment. Don't get involved in secret affairs or underhanded involvements.
Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.
Capricorn - You can't always have your own way. You may as well work on projects that will allow you to make progress. Let your boss know your goals. Plan to visit friends or relatives.
Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.
Pisces - Don't try to deal with important issues or make changes that will upset the apple cart. Don't blow situations out of proportion. This will not be the best day to try to push your ideas or concerns. Communications with loved ones may be strained.
Aries - Changes involving your domestic scene may be unpleasant. Do not force your opinions on others, the connections will be short lived. You need to keep the peace and you will have to bend in order to do so. You should look into making some physical changes, such as new hair colour or toning up your body.
Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.
Cancer - This may not be the time to lend or borrow. Travel for business will not only bring you valuable information but also profits as well. Avoid boredom by being creative in your endeavours. Drastic financial losses may be likely if you lend money.
Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.
Gemini - You will feel compelled to do some travelling. Get into some activities that will help you in making new friends. The existing problems must be dealt with one way or another. Group endeavours will provide you with entertainment.
Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.
Taurus - You always seem to spend more than you make. You can't live your life for others. You could find yourself caught in a one sided relationship. Empty promises are evident and deception probable.
Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.
Leo - You can make progress if you deal with the right individuals. You will feel the limitations if you have been overdoing it. Try not to let relatives or friends cause any friction with your mate. You will do extremely well if you get involved in competitive activities this month.
Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

What are the characteristics of horoscopes in terms of their purpose, the relationship between writer and reader and the language features likely to be found?

Commentary

Horoscopes usually address the reader directly and characteristically combine definitiveness (as determined by the stars and planets) with possibility (allowing for individual differences and interpretation). These purposes are typically expressed through the use of:

modal verbs such as ‘will’, ‘may’
conditional clauses such as those beginning with ‘If …’
other forms of modality such as ‘probably’, possibly

Modal verbs

A modal verb is a form of auxiliary verb which expresses functions such as possibility, probability, necessity, ability, volition, permission, obligation, etc. The principal ones are: may, can, will, might, could, would, shall, should, must.

Modal verbs differ in form from other verbs:

3rd person singular present tense is not inflected - she can; not she cans
the bare infinitive (without ‘to’) is used - I must go; not I must to go
question forms do not take ‘do’ - Could you …?
negated forms do not take ‘do’ - I shouldn’t …
there is no past tense form

Modal verbs can have multiple meanings:

‘may’ = permission or possibility
‘shall’ = offer or suggestion

The same function can be expressed through more than one modal:

possibility = may/might/could, etc

There is a small number of ‘semi-modal’ verbs such as ‘ought to’, used to’, ‘need’ and ‘dare’.

Activity 1.2

Identify and highlight the modal verbs in Teen horoscopes.How would you define their function in the text?

Identify any other form of modality used in Teen horoscopes.

Activity 1.3

Choose three or four of the star signs in the text. Identify the modal verbs used and list them, one to a box, in the left hand column. For each modal verb, tick which of the following functions it best fits? You may find that functions overlap and the same modal verb can have multiple meanings.

Modal verbs	ability	obligation	necessity	possibility	probability	certainty	request	permission	advice	suggestion	warning

Which functions predominate? Why?

Activity 1.4

Below is a copy of one section of the Highway Code. What functions do MUST, MUST NOT, SHOULD and MAY serve? Are there any examples of conditional clauses? Is there any use of other forms of modality?

The Highway Code

45-66: Rules for cyclists (downloaded from http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/03.htm)

When cycling

47: Use cycle routes when practicable. They can make your journey safer.

48: Cycle Tracks. These are normally located away from the road, but may occasionally be found alongside footpaths or pavements. Cyclists and pedestrians may be segregated or they may share the same space (unsegregated). When using segregated tracks you MUST keep to the side intended for cyclists. Take care when passing pedestrians, especially children, elderly or disabled people, and allow them plenty of room. Always be prepared to slow down and stop if necessary.
Law HA 1835 sect 72

49: Cycle Lanes. These are marked by a white line (which may be broken) along the carriageway (see Rule 119). Keep within the lane wherever possible.

50: You MUST obey all traffic signs and traffic light signals.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36, TSRGD reg 10(1)

51: You should

keep both hands on the handlebars except when signalling or changing gear
keep both feet on the pedals
not ride more than two abreast
ride in single file on narrow or busy roads
not ride close behind another vehicle
not carry anything which will affect your balance or may get tangled up with your wheels or chain
be considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians. Let them know you are there when necessary, for example by ringing your bell.

52: You should

look all around before moving away from the kerb, turning or manoeuvring, to make sure it is safe to do so. Give a clear signal to show other road users what you intend to do (see Signals to other road users section)
look well ahead for obstructions in the road, such as drains, pot-holes and parked vehicles so that you do not have to swerve suddenly to avoid them. Leave plenty of room when passing parked vehicles and watch out for doors being opened into your path
take extra care near road humps, narrowings and other traffic calming features.

53: You MUST NOT

carry a passenger unless your cycle has been built or adapted to carry one
hold on to a moving vehicle or trailer
ride in a dangerous, careless or inconsiderate manner
ride when under the influence of drink or drugs.
Law RTA 1988 sects 24, 26, 28, 29 & 30 as amended by RTA 1991

54: You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement. Do not leave your cycle where it would endanger or obstruct road users or pedestrians, for example, lying on the pavement. Use cycle parking facilities where provided.
Laws HA 1835 sect 72 & R(S)A sect 129

55: You MUST NOT cross the stop line when the traffic lights are red. Some junctions have an advanced stop line to enable you to position yourself ahead of other traffic (see Rule 154).
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36, TSRGD reg 10, reg 36(1)

56: Bus Lanes. These may be used by cyclists only if the signs include a cycle symbol. Watch out for people getting on or off a bus. Be very careful when overtaking a bus or leaving a bus lane as you will be entering a busier traffic flow.

Activity 1.5

Ask trainees to bring in another text that characteristically uses modal verbs, or conditional clauses or other forms of modality (e.g. a weather forecast; offers from companies in your junk mail). Analyse some of the use of modality the text and suggest how they might use the text when working with pupils.