Japanese Mood and Modality in Systemic Functional Linguistics

The inability to use modality appropriately observed in persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is generally viewed as pragmatic impairment. This current study explores the divergent modal usage of ASD individuals, viewing it as a pragmatic impairment to be examined from neurological, cognitive, and linguistic perspectives. Based on statistical data derived from observations of how ASD persons use modal expressions while speaking, this paper clarifies the nature of their pragmatic impairment