Misunderstanding Condition

Martin & Rose (2007: 131):

Condition is the relation between an outcome and the conditions under which it may occur, as we saw in Helena’s story:

I would have done the same
had I been denied everything.
If my life, that of my children and my parents was strangled with legislation.
If I had to watch how white people became dissatisfied with the best and still wanted better and got it.

With condition the relevant modal meaning is probability. Helena considers it likely that she would join the struggle under sufficient conditions; and the more oppressive the conditions, the more likely she would have been to do the same.

Blogger Comments:

[1] To be clear, the secondary clause of a conditional relation need not be an outcome nor an occurrence.  For example, consider the following clause complex:

• If the next turn-off is to Nimbin, then we're on the right road.

In this instance, we're on the right road is neither an outcome of the next turn-off is to Nimbin nor an occurrence (a material happening).

[2] To be clear, this is demonstrably untrue, as demonstrated by any and all conditional relations that involve other types of modality:

• If you use the toilet, you must flush it afterwards (obligation)
• If you're going to the shops, I'd like to come with you (inclination)
• If Jim says so, David usually agrees (usuality)

[3] To be clear, the probability in Helena's clause complex is expressed in the modal Finite would, not in the conditional relation between the clauses.

[4] To be clear, this is pure supposition on the part of Martin & Rose.