53 AMERICAN Journal of Language, Literacy and Learning in STEM Education www. grnjournal.us AMERICAN Journal of Language, Literacy and Learning in STEM Education Volume 3, Issue 1, 2025 ISSN (E): 2993-2769 Lexico-Semantic Features of Modal Verbs in Fairy Tales (On the Example of English and Uzbek Fairy Tales) Sanaqulova Mohinur Omonqul qizi English teacher at the Navoi Regional MIA Lyceum Abstract. This article presents the opinions of our country and foreign scholars on the Lexical- Semantic Features of Modal Verbs in Fairy Tales (on the Example of English and Uzbek Fairy Tales). The topic "Lexico-Semantic Features of Modal Verbs in Fairy Tales (on the Example of English and Uzbek Fairy Tales)" suggests an analytical study of how modal verbs function within the linguistic and cultural contexts of fairy tales in English and Uzbek languages. The topic "Lexico-Semantic Features of Modal Verbs in Fairy Tales (on the Example of English and Uzbek Fairy Tales)" can explore fascinating linguistic phenomena in two rich traditions. Key words: Modal verbs (also called modal auxiliaries), Common examples in English include: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would, Lexico-Semantic Features in English Fairy Tales. Intrоductiоn. The possible outcomes of examining the lexical-semantic characteristics of modal verbs in fairy tales, with a focus on contrasting examples from Uzbekistan and English. There are ramifications for linguistics, cultural studies, and even translation in this intriguing field. We can use the following approach to comprehending the results of such a study: Comprehending Modal Verbs' Lexical-Semantic Properties: Ø Modal Verbs and Their Essential Connotations: Beyond mere action, modal verbs (can, could, may, might, must, will, would, must, should) offer a variety of meanings. These consist of: Possibility/Probability: (e.g., "It mightbe a trap.") Obligation/Necessity: (e.g., "You mustobey the queen.") Permission: (e.g., "You mayenter.") Ability: (e.g., "The wolf cantalk.") Volition/Prediction: (e.g., "He willbe king.") Ø Context is Crucial: A modal verb's precise meaning is greatly impacted by the sentence's and the story's overall context. Ø Subtle Nuances: Modal verbs frequently convey varying degrees of urgency, politeness, and certainty. These subtleties can have a significant impact on how the reader interprets the narrative. The fascinating world of modal verbs in fairy tales is revealed by contrasting examples from Uzbekistan and English. The moral and magical landscapes of these stories are often enhanced by modal verbs, which makes this an area of great interest for linguistic research. 54 AMERICAN Journal of Language, Literacy and Learning in STEM Education www. grnjournal.us A modal verb (sometimes called a modal auxiliary) is an auxiliary verb that conveys possibility, necessity, obligation, permission, capacity, etc. Instead of describing the acts themselves, they qualify the primary verb. In English, the following examples are commonly used: can, could, may, might, must, must, should, will, and would. Creating Possible Worlds Fairy tales sometimes operate outside of reality. Modal verbs help to establish this by highlighting what can be, what could happen, and what is required within the logic of the story. In order to represent duty and obligation, characters usually have tasks to complete, rules to follow, or curses to break. The modal verbs must, should, and have highlight these obligations. Character Development: Characters' use of modal verbs reveals attitudes, beliefs, and power relationships. For example, a shy character could ask for permission, while a strong witch might give orders. Setting the Tone: The modal verb choice, which varies from absurd possibilities to solid affirmations, affects the tone of the story. Moral Dimension: By highlighting what should or shouldn't be done, modal verbs help characterise good and immoral behaviours. Explicit moral lessons are common in fairy tales. Lexico-Semantic Components of English Fairy Tales: The following deconstructs the use of modal verbs and the nuances of their meaning in English fairy tales: _Can / Could_ (Ability, Possibility, Permission): Ability: "The wolf could blow down the houses." (Physical power) Possibility: "If she ate the apple, she could fall asleep." (Potential outcome) Permission: "You can enter, but you must not touch anything." (Granted access) Example: "She could fly away if she wished." (Implication of a hidden power) _May / Might_ (Possibility, Permission): Possibility: "The princess might be hiding in the tower." (Uncertainty) Permission: "You may take one, but only one." (Granted choice) Example: "The magic mirror might reveal the queen's true intentions." (Element of the unknown) _Must / Have to_ (Obligation, Necessity): Obligation: "You must obey the queen's orders." (Compelled action) Necessity: "The princess had to get out of the castle." (Essential for survival) Example: "He must find the golden apple to save his kingdom." (Crucial for the plot) _Will / Would_ (Future, Prediction, Willingness, Habit): Future: "The giant will come back soon." (Expected event) Prediction: "If he is not careful, he will lose his way." (Foretelling) Willingness: "I will help you if you promise to be good." (Offer of aid) Habit: "They would meet in secret every evening." (Regular past action) Example: "The prince would always be kind to animals." (Character trait) _Should_ (Advice, Obligation): Advice: "You should listen to your mother." (Guidance) Obligation (weaker than _must_): "You should thank the fairy for her gift." (Moral duty) 55 AMERICAN Journal of Language, Literacy and Learning in STEM Education www. grnjournal.us Example: "The woodcutter should have been more careful." (Implication of a mistake) _Shall_ (Promise, Determination, More formal): Often used in older fairy tales, adding a sense of formality. Promise: "You shall be punished for your misdeeds!" (Vow) Determination: "I shall find the missing treasure!" (Strong intention) Lexico-Semantic Elements in Fairy Tales in Uzbekistan: Let's now see how this functions in Uzbek. Uzbek and English have quite distinct modal verb systems. Rather than depending on auxiliary verbs, Uzbek frequently combines: Particles that are post-positional: To change the meaning of verbs, they are placed after them. Suffixes: Modality-indicating verb ends. Less frequently used than in English, auxiliary verbs can have modal meanings. Words that modify verbs and may include modal subtleties are called adverbs or adjectives. In Uzbek fairy tales, modal interpretations are represented in the following ways: _Kerak_ (to be needed/must, have to): Expresses obligation or necessity, similar to English must or have to. Example: "U kerak edi yovuzlikdan qutilish uchun qiyinchiliklarga bardosh bersin." (He had to endure difficulties to get rid of evil.) _Mumkin_ (possible/can, may): Indicates possibility or permission, akin to English can, may, might. Example: "Siz mumkin kirishingiz." (You may enter.) Example: "Bu mumkin amalga oshsin." (This can be done.) _-moq kerak_ (infinitive + need): Further emphasizes obligation or necessity. Example: "Siz bu savolni hal etmoq kerak." (You must solve this problem.) _Lozim_ (must, necessary) : Expresses necessity. Example: "U loazim edi qutqaruvchisini topishi." (She must find her rescuer.) Adverbial and adjectival modifiers: Words like ehtimol (perhaps) or majbur (forced) add modal nuances. Example: "U ehtimol sehrgarni ko'rgan bo'lishi mumkin." (He might have seen the wizard.) Key Differences & Considerations in Morphological Structure: English employs certain modal verbs, whereas Uzbek utilises a combination of particles, suffixes, and post-positional terms. This suggests that a different approach is required to evaluate modal meanings in Uzbek and that straight translation may be challenging. Subtlety of Meaning: The semantic range of modal meanings in different languages may overlap to some extent. For example, translating the tiny variations between "may" and "might" in Uzbek could be challenging. Cultural Influence: Modal verb usage might reveal power relations and cultural perspectives. For example, Uzbek fairy tales may highlight the importance of obedience and accountability more than their English equivalents by employing certain modal patterns. Stylistic Variation: Modal usage can also be influenced by how formal or informal the story is. Regional Differences in Uzbek: Modal expressions may be used slightly differently in various Uzbek dialects. Prospects for Research 56 AMERICAN Journal of Language, Literacy and Learning in STEM Education www. grnjournal.us The following learning opportunities arise from analysing modal verbs in fairy tales written in various languages: Analysis by Comparison: Examine the differences between the Uzbek and English expressions of similar modal ideas. Cultural Repercussions: Examine how each culture's fairy tales' modal verb choices represent their respective moral and cultural contexts. Examine the ways in which modal verbs contribute to the development of fairy tale narrative structure and character arcs. Analyse how translators handle the difficulties of translating modal meanings between languages in translation studies. Linguistics of corpora: Examine sizable compilations of fairy tales in all languages to find trends in the way modal verbs are used. Conclusion. Modal verbs are crucial in creating the magical and moral worlds of fairy tales because of their diverse variety of meanings. By comparing how each language is utilised in English and Uzbek, we may have a deeper understanding of its grammatical subtleties and the cultural narratives it conveys. Examining the lexio-semantic properties of these modal components may help one comprehend the potency and universality of narrative. A unique viewpoint for analysing linguistic patterns, cultural norms, and narrative techniques is offered by analysing the lexical-semantic properties of modal verbs in fairy tales. A fascinating way to understand how language influences our interpretation of stories and how linguistic choices reflect cultural variations is to compare English and Uzbek fairy tales. 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