Subjectivity as an evidential dimension in epistemic modal expressions

This paper analyzes the role of subjectivity in epistemic modal expressions. It argues for an interpretation of the dimension of subjectivity as a separate evidential qualification. On the basis of col pus data, it attempts to show how the dimension manifests itself in linguistic structure in the context of expression forms of epistemic modality. It reflects on the precise nature of the dimension, and discusses its connections with some other notions of evidentiality. It further considers the relation between the present notion of subjectivity and the notion as found elsewhere in the literature. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.