Gradability and modality

Abstract

This chapter investigates the relationship between gradability and modality in a case study from Samoan (Austronesian, Oceanic; ISO 639-3: smo). It develops a compositionally transparent semantic analysis of the SILI (ONA) construction that is used both for weak priority modality and for the superlative. The chapter argues against a quantificational-modal and in favor of a degree-based analysis of the construction that relies on an underspecified and type-polymorphic measure of VALUE. Under such an analysis, several other core properties of the construction then fall out from general properties of the grammar of gradable predicates in Samoan, notably the pragmatic strengthening of the positive form to a superlative interpretation if contextually licensed.