Date of Award

9-25-2024

Publication Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.Ed.

Department

Education

Keywords

Billboard Top Songs;Language and Music;Lexical Collocations;Modal Verbs;Popular Music Lyrics

Supervisor

Clayton Smith

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study investigates the usage patterns and functions of modal verbs within the lyrics of popular music. The research aims to uncover how modal verbs contribute to the thematic and emotional content of the songs, focusing on their collocations with lexical verbs and the semantic domains they encompass. The study involves the manual extraction of modal verbs from a carefully selected corpus of top-charting songs. The quantitative analysis phase includes frequency counts and collocation analysis, categorizing the lexical verbs into seven major semantic domains. The qualitative analysis interprets the contextual use of modal verbs, examining their roles in conveying modality, attitude, and emotion. Distinct patterns emerge in the usage of modal verbs, with notable variations across different semantic domains and thematic contexts. Modal verbs indicating possibility or permission frequently appear in themes of freedom and aspiration, while those expressing obligation or necessity are prevalent in themes of responsibility and commitment. The study also highlights the rhetorical impact of modal verbs, demonstrating their influence on the listener's perception and emotional engagement with the song lyrics. This comprehensive analysis integrates quantitative data with qualitative insights, offering a robust understanding of modal verb usage in contemporary music. The findings contribute to the broader field of linguistic research, providing practical implications for language teaching and further studies in modality and corpus linguistics. By providing a comprehensive exploration of modality in popular music, this research enhances our understanding of linguistic expression in a culturally significant context, bridging the gap between academic linguistics and everyday language use. Keywords: Modal Verbs, Popular Music Lyrics, Billboard Top Songs, Language and Music, Lexical Collocations

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