Strategies and word order of modal necessity (Synja Khanty)

VDeon: Necessity is expressed through the use of an independent word that appears (indirectly or directly) after the verb.


(1) jēt-na pelaki wera jol-n ūl-ti wēr-ǝl ū-l.

evening-loc around Vera home-loc be-prs.ptc thing-3sg be-prs.3sg

‘Vera has a being-at-home thing  in the evening.’ =

‘Vera must be home in the evening.’ (the speaker’s belief)
‘Vera has to be home in the evening.’ (it is the rule) (S. O.)

(2) jēt-na pelaki wera-ja jol-n ūl-ti mɔ̄s-l.

evening-loc around Vera-lat home-loc be-inf must-prs.3sg

‘Vera has to/must be at home in the evening.’ (F. L.)


In Synja Khanty, modal necessity is expressed by the construction, which contains the participle of the main verb and the phrase meaning ‘to have (some)thing to do’ (1) or the infinitive of the main verb and the modal auxiliary mɔ̄s ‘must’ (2) (S. O., F. L.). The topic requires further research.

Author: 

Nikolett F. Gulyás