Comparison of Modals present in “Dear Abby” and “Ask Laskas”

1. Chrystal A. Vance Final Presentation APLNG: 484 Dr. Strauss Comparison of Modals present in “Dear Abby” and “Ask Laskas”

2. Introduction • Used two popular advice columns: • Dear Abby: Published in newspapers nationwide. • Ask Laskas: From Reader's Digest • Amount of data used: • 41 Web Pages and 90 Q&A from October 2003-Present Day: Ask Laskas • 42 Web Pages and 90 Q&A, from October 20-November 30, 2007: Dear Abby • Wanted to look at a fairly large number of data • Was trying to discover how the two women used directions or suggestions, through the use of modals.

3. Hypothesis • Dear Abby will use more epistemic modals, while Ask Laskas will be more deontic, indicating which women will be more likely to use directions or suggestions.

4. Dear Abby • Abby: • She was more likely to let others give opinions • Not so forecful in her words—more suggestive. • Not always portraying herself as the authority. Modals she used most: • Have (to, got to) (86). • Can (47) • Should (59) • Will (50)‏ • Would (34)

5. Dear Abby • Had more usage of epistemic modals: • She was more likely to let others give opinions • Not so forecful in her words—more suggestive. • Not always portraying herself as the authority. Modals she used most: • Have (to, got to) (86). • Can (47) • Should (59) • Will (50)‏ • Would (34)

6. Dear Abby Example • MAN'S LOUD INTERNET CHATS RAISE HIS NEIGHBOR'S IRE • DEAR ABBY: I am 20 years old and for the time being, I live with my parents. My problem is our elderly neighbor, "John." John recently divorced his wife and now lives alone. • He spends most of his time on his computer having inappropriate conversations with extremely young-sounding girls via the Internet. He must be hard of hearing because he turns the sound up loud, and I can hear it all hours of the night. • I see John on a daily basis, but I don't want to say anything to him, and I don't want to call the police because I'd be embarrassed when I see him. I'm not sure how to fix this problem. What do you think? -- SLEEPLESS IN FORT MADISON, IOWA • DEAR SLEEPLESS: You may not want to have a word with "John," but that's what you should do. Inform him that he has the volume on his computer (or speakerphone) turned up so loud that his conversations keep you up at all hours, and if it doesn't stop you will have to call the police. Then if he doesn't follow through, you should report him -- for disturbing the peace.

7. Ask Laskas • Laskas • Was more likely to be commanding. • Used puns to reinforce her answer • More likely to use short, to-the-point sentences • Her answers tended to be shorter (79 words compared to 100 for Dear Abby). • Doesn't necessarily use modals to convey this, so her modals are not any more deontic than Dear Abby. • Modals she used the most: • Can (38)‏ • Have (to, got to) 32 • Will(21)‏ • Should (10)‏

8. Ask Laskas Example • QuestionWhenever I invite my daughter out, she brings a friend. She's 23, works full time and goes to school. I'm glad she has a life and friends, but when they are with us, she talks to them, not me. Sometimes I just want to be alone with her. What can I say? -- Private Time Dear Private Your daughter may not even guess at your feelings. Speak your mind -- and heart. But I think I can assure you her behavior isn't meant cruelly. At 23 it's normal and healthy for a person to pull away from family and seek out others. Think of it this way: She's including you in her circle. The most generous parental act you could perform would be to put your desire for her undivided attention on hold and show her you remain interested in her world. The time will come again when no one else but Mom will do.

9. Conclusion • Dear Abby has more instances of modals over all • Ask Laskas uses less modals. • Neither advice column proves that one woman uses more deontic modals in any significant way. This is also true for epistemic modals. My hypothesis was not proven, but I can conclude that Ask Laskas is more directive than Dear Abby.