Questions concerning sentence types are discussed at length in traditional grammars of both Hungarian and German. Results of modern research in theoretical linguistics seem to suggest that a general theory of modality is necessary for a theoretically adequate description of sentence types. The latest Germanistic scientific literature deals with this subject mainly based on a modular cognitive concept. The group of researchers wish to attempt a contrastive analysis of the characteristics of German and Hungarian sentence types, as well as of the possibilities of expression connected to the modality of sentences, based on a non-modular cognitive concept.

Based on the relevant scientific literature the group of researchers is going to work out a theoretical framework which allows for a comparison of German and Hungarian sentence types. They will be carrying out empirical research based on corpora, paying special attention to the connection between intonation and modality, as well as the lexical means of expressing modality. Beyond making use of already accessible corpora the group is planning to establish a smaller contrastive corpus of their own. The researchers will be focusing on the problems of differentiating statements and questions, on the connection between imperative sentences and demanding/commanding, as well as the linguistic possibilities of expressing emotions and their relation to sentence types. We wish to publish the results of this project in scientific journals.