%0 Journal Article
%A Cappelle, Bert
%A Depraetere, Ilse
%T Short-circuited interpretations of modal verb constructions: Some evidence from The Simpsons
%D 2016
%J Constructions and Frames
%V 8
%N Modal Meaning in Construction Grammar
%P 7-39
%@ 1876-1933
%R https://doi.org/10.1075/cf.8.1.02cap
%K modal verb constructions
%K language humour
%K saturation
%K semantics-pragmatics interface
%K modal meaning
%K short-circuited implicature
%K The Simpsons
%I John Benjamins
%X In this paper we aim to show how distinct semantic and pragmatic layers of modal interpretation can be fruitfully integrated within a constructionist approach. We discuss in detail a number of cases from the Simpsons where a modal verb, as part of a longer expression, has a short-circuited interpretation, that is, where it is conventionally associated with a context-specific modal semantic value and, in some cases, with added pragmatic information. Short-circuitedness is evidenced by the humorous effect that is obtained when a character wilfully or unknowingly ignores standard aspects of interpretation of such a modal verb construction.
%U https://www.jbe-platform.com/content/journals/10.1075/cf.8.1.02cap