Keywords
Abstract
This article examines the pragmatic and modal meanings embedded in wish and desire expressions from a cross-linguistic perspective, focusing on English and Uzbek. While desire is often categorized within volitional modality, its interpretation depends heavily on discourse context and communicative intention. The study analyzes modal verbs, subjunctive constructions, analytic structures, and lexical markers to identify how pragmatic force interacts with grammatical modality. Literary examples illustrate how speakers negotiate hypotheticality, obligation, emotional stance, and interpersonal alignment. The findings reveal both universal modal mechanisms and culturally specific pragmatic strategies shaping the expression of wish and desire across languages.
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