Certainty levels and epistemic modality in Turkish

The purpose of this study is to determine the specific role and function of -Ar, -DIr, -Abil and -mAlI morphemes under epistemic modality. We focus on purely subjective type of judgements which reflect the level of knowledge and beliefs of the speaker. In line with this purpose has been adopted a typological approach based on Palmer's epistemic modal system. The main claim of this study is that -Ar, -DIr, -Abil and -mAlI morphemes express varying degrees of certainty ranging from low possibility to high possibility; -Abil expresses low possibility and communicate the uncertainty of the speaker, -mAlI reflects high possibility based on observable evidence and -Ar/ -DIr convey a medium level of certainty based on general knowledge.