Contractual role of modality as convergence strategy in technical research articles

Abstract

Within the ample theoretical frameworks of dialogicality, textual evaluation, and pragmatic cooperation, the present study explores the contractual role of modality as convergence strategy and embedded subjective space throughout the inferential and evidentiality-based structure of the research article. The analysis of fifty samples dealing with aeronautical engineering and related disciplines, written by Spanish researchers and native speakers of English, confirms that the use of modality as positive politeness device varies cross-culturally. It likewise reveals the existence of pragmatic failures in the writings of native Spanish speakers despite their publication in renowned international journals. Such failures may be attributed to typological and instructional factors related to the command of boosting and hedging techniques.