Interaction of categories of generalization, modality and indefiniteness in utterances

Investigating the linguistic means of expressing a generic utterance is of interest for linguistic studies. These means include timeless present, non-referential noun phrases, generic quantifiers, etc. Within an utterance, generalization is closely interrelated with other categories, such as modality and indefiniteness. The article deals with the ways how these categories influence and restrict the generic character of the utterance. To reveal these ways a concise overview of the development of scientific thought concerning the categories of modality and indefiniteness is provided. As a result of the research, we distinguish outer and inner modality represented respectively in the modus and dictum of an utterance. Both outer and inner modalities include basic modal meanings of reality, possibility and necessity. For the generic status of an utterance, the outer modality of necessity plays a crucial role. Stating the relationship between generalization and indefiniteness leads to the conclusion that the generic utterance uses non-referential noun phrases expressing general concepts that are known as notions of generalizing definiteness. Feature indefiniteness is acceptable in a generic utterance, but it reduces its status to a particular generalization. Modal indefiniteness (modality of possibility) is not able to make up a generic utterance.