Abstract
In this paper the syntax and the semantics of the modal auxiliary verb dang and its diachronic development from a full verb into a modal auxiliary verb, and a future marker are at issue. It will be demonstrated that dang predominantly expresses the root modal values of obligation and necessity and that epistemic and future readings are subject to different syntactic constraints. Additionally, the data will show that although dang seems to exhibit typical features of grammaticalisation in its development from a full verb into a modal auxiliary verb and eventually into a future marker, its development differs considerably from the grammaticalisation processes proposed in the linguistic literature. © 2011 by Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden.