1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
Time Turner: Image from http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Time-Turner?file=TimeTurner.PNG
ELC 231: Introduction to Language and LinguisticsWeek 13: Temporality II
Grammatical Aspect and Tense
Dr. Meagan Louie
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 1 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Core Subdomains
Linguistics: The study of Language
Phonetics
Phonology
Morphology
Syntax
Semantics
Pragmatics
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 2 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Last Week: The Morphosemantics of Lexical Aspect in Verbs
Linguistics: The study of Language
Phonetics
Phonology
Morphology
Syntax
Semantics
Pragmatics
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 3 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Semantically-Defined VERB CLASSES: Lexical Aspect
Rothstein 2004: Semantically-defined aspectual classes
VERB CLASS Examples
Statives “non-dynamic situations”Activities “open-ended processes”Accomplishments “processes with a natural endpoint”Achievements “near-instantaneous events” with change of state(Semelfactives) “near-instantaneous events” no change of state
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 4 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Verb Classes and Lexical Aspect/Aktionsart
Recall: There are TWO kinds of ASPECT
(i) Verbal/Lexical Aspect (aka aktionsart)→ This is a way of categorizing verbs/VPs/events
(according to their semantic temporal properties)
eg., stative, activity, accomplishment, achievement, semelfactive
(ii) Grammatical/Viewpoint Aspect→ This is used to modify the interpretation of the verb/VP/event
(in terms of its semantic temporal properties)
eg., progressive (be -ing), simple (-s/∅), perfect (have -en/ed)...
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 5 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Verb Classes and Lexical Aspect/Aktionsart
Recall: GRAMMATICAL ASPECT 6= TENSE
(i) Grammatical/Viewpoint Aspect→ This modifies the temporal interpretation of the verb/VP/event
with respect a reference time
eg., progressive (be -ing), simple (-s/∅), perfect (have -en/ed)...
(ii) Tense→ This locates the reference time
with respect the utterance/speech time
eg., PAST and PRESENT
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 6 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Semantically-Defined ASPECTUAL VERB CLASSES
Vendler 1957: Verbs/VPs have different aspectual classesand these are semantically-defined:
Lexical Aspect Dynamic Telic Durative
States × × N/AActivities X × XAccomplishments X X XAchievements X X ×Semelfactives X × ×
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 7 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Semantically-Defined ASPECTUAL VERB CLASSES
These aspectual classes differ in their (i) acceptability and (ii)interpretation with Tense/Grammatical Aspect combinations:
Lexical Aspect PRES Simple PRES PROG
States Ongoing ×*temporary
Activities HAB X ongoing
Accomplishments HAB X ongoing
Achievements HAB ×*preparatory
Semelfactives HAB X *iterative
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 8 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Semantically-Defined ASPECTUAL VERB CLASSES
These aspectual classes differ in their (i) acceptability and (ii)interpretation with Tense/Grammatical Aspect combinations:
Lexical Aspect Pst.PROG |= Pst.Simple “for X time” “in X time”
States N/A X ×Activities X X ×Accomplishments × × XAchievements N/A × XSemelfactives X X ×
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 9 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Semantically-Defined ASPECTUAL VERB CLASSES
Remaining Question: Can our theory account for WHY thesediagnostics distinguish different kinds of aspectual classes?
Lexical Aspect PRES Simple PRES PROG
States Ongoing ×*temporary
Activities HAB X ongoing
Accomplishments HAB X ongoing
Achievements HAB ×*preparatory
Semelfactives HAB X *iterative
Can we explain WHY grammatical aspects havedifferent interpretations with different verb classes?
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 10 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Recall: SEMANTICITY as a Design Feature of Language
Given semanticity, we expect the FORM of the simple aspect,-s/-∅, to systematically correlate with a specific MEANING...
VERB SIMPLE ASPECT
a. run She runsHAB
b. eat She eats an appleHAB
c. recognize She recognizes meHAB
d. find She finds a dogHAB
e. know She knows meONGOING
f. have She has a brotherONGOING
g. like She likes a singerONGOING
...so why is it interpreted variably as ONGOING and HABITUAL?
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 11 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
The Principle of Compositionality
.
Gottlob Frege (1848-1925)
The Principle of Compositionality“...meaning of a complex expression is
a function of the meaning of its parts
and the way those parts are combined.”
The meaning of a complex word or sentenceis based on
(i) the meaning of its parts and
(ii) the way that the parts are combined.
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 12 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
The Principle of Compositionality
.
Gottlob Frege (1848-1925)
The Principle of Compositionality“...meaning of a complex expression is
a function of the meaning of its parts
and the way those parts are combined.”
The meaning of a complex word or sentenceis based on
(i) the meaning of its parts and
(ii) the way that the parts are combined.
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 13 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Recall: COMPOSITIONALITY
Question: Assuming semanticity, we expect that the simplepresent should have a systematic meaning...
...so why is it interpreted asONGOING for states, butHABITUAL for eventives?
Recall: statives and eventives have distinct semantic properties→ eventives are dynamic
Idea: The (systematic) meaning of the simple present combinesdifferently with dynamic VPs, resulting in a different interpretation
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 14 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Underspecification and Compositionality: Pokémon Analogy
Eevee → Vaporeon / mmWater Stone
Eevee → Jolteon/ mmThunder Stone
Eevee → Flareon/ mmFire Stone
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 15 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Underspecification and Compositionality: Pokémon Analogy
Vaporeon → Water Stone + Eevee
Jolteon → Thunder Stone + Eevee
Flareon → Fire Stone + Eevee
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 16 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Underspecification and Compositionality: Pokémon Analogy
Flareon → Fire Stone + Eevee
Arcanine → Fire Stone + Growlithe
Ninetales → Fire Stone + Vulpix
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 17 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
UNDERSPECIFICATION and COMPOSITIONALITY
Idea: There is a (systematic) meaning for the simple present,compatible with both the HABITUAL and ONGOING interpretation
...when it combines with different kinds of VPs (i.e.,dynamic/eventive vs non-dynamic/stative...
...it results in one or the other interpretation
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 18 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
The Morphosemantics of Viewpoint Aspect and Tense
...but what IS this underspecified, systematic meaning?
Today: The semantics ofVIEWPOINT ASPECTS (eg., simple/progressive/perfect), andTENSES (eg., present/past)
But first, a design feature...
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 19 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Recall: Hockett’s Design Features of Language
.Q: What properties does LANGUAGE have?i.e., what counts as a LANGUAGE (vs communication system)?
Charles F. Hockett (1916-2000)proposed several criteria that acommunication system must have inorder to count as a language
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 20 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Hockett’s Design Features of Language Hockett (1959)
.Q: What properties does LANGUAGE have?i.e., what counts as a LANGUAGE (vs communication system)?
Hockett’s Design Features
1 Discreteness
2 Semanticity
3 Arbitrariness
4 Productivity
5 Prevarication
6 Duality of Patterning
7 Displacement
8 ...M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 21 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Hockett’s Design Features of Language Hockett (1959)
.Q: What properties does LANGUAGE have?i.e., what counts as a LANGUAGE (vs communication system)?
Hockett’s Design Features
1 Discreteness
2 Semanticity
3 Arbitrariness
4 Productivity
5 Prevarication
6 Duality of Patterning
7 Displacement
8 ...M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 22 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Hockett’s Design Features of Language Hockett (1959)
.Q: What properties does LANGUAGE have?i.e., what counts as a LANGUAGE (vs communication system)?
Hockett’s Design Features
DISPLACEMENT
Language can communicate aboutindividuals or events that are notpresent in the here and now.
.
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 23 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Hockett’s Design Features of Language Hockett (1959)
.Q: What properties does LANGUAGE have?i.e., what counts as a LANGUAGE (vs communication system)?
Hockett’s Design Features
DISPLACEMENT
Recall: My stomach rumbling andsweating are ways of communicatinginformation (i.e., hunger, feeling hot...)
.
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 24 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Hockett’s Design Features of Language Hockett (1959)
.Q: What properties does LANGUAGE have?i.e., what counts as a LANGUAGE (vs communication system)?
Hockett’s Design Features
DISPLACEMENT
...but my stomach only grumbles ifI’m hungry NOW, and I only sweatif I’m feeling hot NOW.
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 25 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Hockett’s Design Features of Language Hockett (1959)
.Q: What properties does LANGUAGE have?i.e., what counts as a LANGUAGE (vs communication system)?
Hockett’s Design Features
DISPLACEMENT
..my stomach grumbling can’tconvey that I was hungry yesterday,or that Khanun is hungry.
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 26 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Hockett’s Design Features of Language Hockett (1959)
.Q: What properties does LANGUAGE have?i.e., what counts as a LANGUAGE (vs communication system)?
Hockett’s Design Features
DISPLACEMENT
..my sweating can’t convey that Iwas feeling hot this morning, orthat Leigh is feeling hot.
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 27 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Hockett’s Design Features of Language Hockett (1959)
.Q: What properties does LANGUAGE have?i.e., what counts as a LANGUAGE (vs communication system)?
Hockett’s Design Features
DISPLACEMENT
...but I can do BOTH of thesethings with language:
“Khanun is hungry.”“I was hungry (yesterday).”
.
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 28 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Hockett’s Design Features of Language Hockett (1959)
.Q: What properties does LANGUAGE have?i.e., what counts as a LANGUAGE (vs communication system)?
Hockett’s Design Features
DISPLACEMENT
“I was hungry (yesterday).”→ temporal displacement
But how do languages do this?
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 29 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
1.1 REVIEW: Lexical Aspect1.2 Lexical Aspects and Compositionality1.3 DISPLACEMENT as a Design Feature
Hockett’s Design Features of Language Hockett (1959)
.Q: What properties does LANGUAGE have?i.e., what counts as a LANGUAGE (vs communication system)?
Hockett’s Design Features
DISPLACEMENT
“I was hungry (yesterday).”→ temporal displacement
→ with TENSE and ASPECT!
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 30 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
2.1 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax2.2 TENSE and the Perfect2.3 TENSE and the Progressive2.4 TENSE and the Simple
Today’s Goals: Semantics for Temporal Displacement
STUDENT LEARNING GOALS:Learn about some of the basic concepts associated with the semantics ofTENSE and VIEWPOINT ASPECT.
Concepts you should know by the end of today:
1. TENSE (past, present)2. VIEWPOINT ASPECT (simple, progressive, perfect)3. Utterance time (UT)4. Reference time (RT)5. Event time (ET)
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 31 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
2.1 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax2.2 TENSE and the Perfect2.3 TENSE and the Progressive2.4 TENSE and the Simple
Today’s Goals: Semantics for Temporal Displacement
MY GOALS:Convince you that TENSE and VIEWPOINT ASPECT are
1. Morphosyntactically distinct-i.e., they have distinct forms & distinct distributions in a sentence.
2. Semantically distinct-i.e., have distinct effects on the meaning of a sentence.
(both in terms of truth-conditions and use-conditions)
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 32 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
2.1 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax2.2 TENSE and the Perfect2.3 TENSE and the Progressive2.4 TENSE and the Simple
Describing Tense and Aspect
I’ll be focusing on TRUTH-CONDITIONS today
QUESTIONS FOR TODAY1. What effect does tense morphology have
on the truth-conditions of a sentence?
2. What effect does aspect morphology haveon the truth-conditions of a sentence?
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 33 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
2.1 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax2.2 TENSE and the Perfect2.3 TENSE and the Progressive2.4 TENSE and the Simple
Tense: An English Minimal Pair
CONTEXTI was working hard on my dissertation, but now I’m taking a facebookbreak. My advisor walks up and asks me what I’m doing. Since she can’tsee my laptop screen, I tell her:
(1) a. I am working on my dissertation! False!
b. I was working on my dissertation! True!
Observation: Tense morphology affects truth-conditions!
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 34 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
2.1 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax2.2 TENSE and the Perfect2.3 TENSE and the Progressive2.4 TENSE and the Simple
Aspect: An English Minimal Pair
CONTEXTI work on my dissertation a little every day. But right now, I’m taking abreak. My brother sees me checking facebook and asks "Don’t you everwork on your dissertation?" I reply:
(2) a. I am working on my dissertation! False!(Meagan is working on her dissertation)
b. I work on my dissertation! True!(Meagan works on her dissertation)
Observation: Aspect morphology affects truth-conditions!
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 35 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
2.1 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax2.2 TENSE and the Perfect2.3 TENSE and the Progressive2.4 TENSE and the Simple
MORPHOLOGICAL KINDS of TENSE and ASPECT
Claim I: Tense and Aspect are morphosyntactically distinct
They are NOT in complementary distribution - they co-occur.
Kinds of English Tense
1. PAST Aux/V irreg./-ed3sg
2. PRESENT Aux/V irreg./-s3sg
Kinds of English Viewpoint Aspect
1. Simple V-∅/-s3sg2. Progressive BEAux V-ing
3. Perfect HAVEAux V-en/-ed
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 36 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
2.1 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax2.2 TENSE and the Perfect2.3 TENSE and the Progressive2.4 TENSE and the Simple
MORPHOLOGICAL KINDS of TENSE and ASPECT
Claim I: Tense and Aspect are morphosyntactically distinct
They are NOT in complementary distribution - they co-occur.
→ All six combinations are found:
PRESENT PAST
SIMPLE X XPROGRESSIVE X XPERFECT X X
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 37 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
2.1 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax2.2 TENSE and the Perfect2.3 TENSE and the Progressive2.4 TENSE and the Simple
The Perfect Viewpoint Aspect
The Perfect Aspect
perfect = have auxiliary + perfect/past participle V
Observation: The auxiliary inflects for tense
(3) a. I have checked facebook. PRESENT PERFECT
b. I had checked facebook PAST PERFECT
(4) a. She has seen the movie. PRESENT PERFECT
b. She had seen the movie PAST PERFECT
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 38 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
2.1 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax2.2 TENSE and the Perfect2.3 TENSE and the Progressive2.4 TENSE and the Simple
The Progressive Viewpoint Aspect
The Progressive Aspect
progressive = be auxiliary + present participle V (-ing form)
Observation: The auxiliary inflects for tense
(5) a. I am checking facebook. PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
b. I was checking facebook PAST PROGRESSIVE
(6) a. She is watching the movie. PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
b. She was watching the movie PAST PROGRESSIVE
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 39 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
2.1 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax2.2 TENSE and the Perfect2.3 TENSE and the Progressive2.4 TENSE and the Simple
The Simple Viewpoint Aspect
The Simple Aspectsimple = no auxiliary, no special form of the verb
Observation: The verb itself inflects for tense.
(7) a. I check facebook. SIMPLE PRESENT
b. I checked facebook SIMPLE PAST
(8) a. She watches the movie. SIMPLE PRESENT
b. She watched the movie SIMPLE PAST
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 40 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
2.1 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax2.2 TENSE and the Perfect2.3 TENSE and the Progressive2.4 TENSE and the Simple
MORPHOLOGICAL KINDS of TENSE and ASPECT
Claim I: Tense and Viewpoint Aspect are morphosyntactically distinct
They are NOT in complementary distribution - they co-occur.
This is evidence that these are distinct categories...so please do not call PROGRESSIVE/PERFECT/SIMPLE a tense!
Claim II: Tense and Viewpoint Aspect are semantically distinct
Both TENSE and VIEWPOINT ASPECTplace semantic restrictions on the relationship between two times...
but they operate on distinct pairs of times.
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 41 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
Claim II: Tense and Viewpoint Aspect are semantically distinct
TENSE and VIEWPOINT ASPECTplace semantic restrictions on distinct pairs of times.
In other words, they have distinct meanings/semantics
...but how can we represent this with our semantic theory?
We need to add more to our semantic theory...
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 42 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
Q: What are the basic building blocks of MEANING?
1 Truth-Values: True (T) and False (F) (associated with sentences)
2 Things that words/phrases can refer to:(i) Objects/Individuals: a, b, c, d
eg., “Bao-Bao”=a, “Taz”= d, ...
(ii) NEW! Times: t1, t2, t3 ...eg., “April 7th, 1985, 10:34 am” = t14 , “now” = t0
3 Operations: Set-formation, Tuple-Formation
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 43 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
Adding TIMES to our Semantic Model (Bennett & Partee1978)
TIMES are entities in the ontology of our semantic model(just like individuals are entities in the ontology).
TIMES are linearly ordered by the precedence relation ≺:t0≺t1≺t2≺t3≺t4≺ ...
We can also refer to sets of (contiguous/adjacent) times, i.e., intervalseg., JtomorrowK = {t300, t301, ...t499, t500}
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 44 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
Adding TIMES to our Semantic Model (Bennett & Partee1978)
Our semantic theory can now distinguish between:(i) INSTANTS: points on the linear time scale
eg., JnowK = tt0(ii) INTERVALS: intervals on the linear time scale
eg., Jtwo days agoK = {t3, t4, ...t299, t300}
t-2≺ t-1≺t0≺t1≺t2≺t3≺t4≺ t5
We can also represent the difference betweendurative and instantaneous events
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 45 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
Adding TEMPORALITY to the Semantics of Verbs
Semantic Ontology
1 Truth-Values: T, F
2 Individuals:a = Harryb = Hermionec = Rond = Dracoe = Buckbeakf = Lunag = Ginnyh = Hedwigi = Hagridq = quidditch
3 Times:t-1≺t0≺t1≺t2≺t3≺...
4 Operations: {}, 〈〉
Previously: Verbs referred to(i) Sets of Individuals
eg., JfliesK = {e, h, ...}
Revised: Verbs refer to(i) Sets of 〈individual, time〉 Pairs
eg., JfliesK = {〈e, tx〉, 〈h, ty〉, ...}
For durative verbs, t is an interval; forinstantaneous verbs, t is an instant
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 46 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
Claim II: Tense and Viewpoint Aspect are semantically distinct
TENSE and VIEWPOINT ASPECTplace semantic restrictions on distinct pairs of times.
Having added TIMES to our semantic theory, we can start makingspecific hypotheses about the semantics of TENSE and ASPECT
t0≺t1≺t2≺t3≺t4≺ ...
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 47 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
KINDS of TIMES
Three times relevant for TENSE and VIEWPOINT ASPECT:
1. Utterance Time: UT = t0The time associated with the act of uttering a sentence (eg., now)
2. Reference Time:1 RTA contextually-salient time (eg., set up before the utterance of thesentence, by the topic matter of the conversation, or given by a timeadverbial like "on Tuesday")
3. Event Time: ETThe time associated with the event described by the VP
1RT introduced by Reichenbach (1947), revived by Klein (1994) (as Topic Time.)M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 48 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
Tense and Aspect Semantics
Q: What is the semantic contribution of TENSE morphology?
PAST and PRESENT tenseThe Traditional Hypothesis:Tense places a restriction on the relationship between the UT and ET.
. past: requires that ET precedes UT ET ≺ UT
. present: requires the ET to overlap with UT ET ° UT
UT
ET
PASTET ≺ UT
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 49 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
Tense and Aspect Semantics
Q: What is the semantic contribution of TENSE morphology?
PAST and PRESENT tenseThe Traditional Hypothesis:Tense places a restriction on the relationship between the UT and ET.
. past: requires that ET precedes UT ET ≺ UT
. present: requires the ET to overlap with UT ET ° UT
UT
ET
PRESENTET ° UT
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 50 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
What is the semantic contribution of TENSE morphology?
Hypothesis 1: TENSE indicates a relationship btw UT and ET
Tense morphology modifies truth-conditionsby placing conditions on the relationship between
(i) The utterance time (UT)a, and
(ii) The event time (ET)b
aThe time at which the speaker says/utters the sentence.bThe runtime of the event described by the VP.
UT
ET
PASTET ≺ UT
UT
ET
PRESENTET ° UT
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 51 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
Tense: An English Minimal Pair (Progressive Aspect)
CONTEXT 1I’ve spent an hour working on my dissertation, but now I’m taking afacebook break. My advisor walks up and asks me what I’m doing. Sinceshe can’t see my laptop screen, I tell her:
(9) a. I ampres working on my dissertation! False!
b. I waspast working on my dissertation! True!
H1: PAST and PRESENT tense
UT
ET
PASTET ≺ UT
UT
ET
PRESENTET ° UT
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 52 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
Tense: An English Minimal Pair (Progressive Aspect)
CONTEXT 1I’ve spent an hour working on my dissertation, but now I’m taking afacebook break. My advisor walks up and asks me what I’m doing. Sinceshe can’t see my laptop screen, I tell her:
(9) a. I ampres working on my dissertation! False!
b. I waspast working on my dissertation! True!
H1 supported! (so far)
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 53 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
Tense: An English Minimal Pair (Perfect Aspect)
CONTEXT 2
I’ve spent an hour working on my dissertation, but now I’m taking a facebookbreak. My advisor walks up and asks me what I’ve done today.
(10) a. I’vepres worked on my dissertation. True!
b. I hadpast worked on my dissertation.2 True!
H1: PRESENT tense requires that ET overlaps with UT
UT
ET
PRESENTET ° UT
ET does not overlap with UT( Acc. to H1, (10a) should be false) ×2This sounds pretty weird. We’ll talk about why later.
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 54 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
What is the semantic contribution of ASPECT?
H1 (the "Traditional View") disproved!
The change in VIEWPOINT ASPECT disproved H1.
So what did the change in viewpoint aspect DO?
Q: What’s the semantic contribution of aspect?
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 55 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
What is the semantic contribution of ASPECT?
Hypothesis: ASPECT indicates a relationship btw RT and ET
Aspect morphology modifies truth-conditionsby placing restrictions on the relationship between
(i) The reference time (RT)a, and
(ii) The event time (ET)b
aA contextually-salient time, eg., given by a temporal adverbialbThe runtime of the event described by the VP.
Proposal: PERFECT and PROGRESSIVE aspect
. perfect: requires that ET precedes RT ET ≺ RT
. progressive: requires that ET overlap with RT ET ° RT
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 56 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
PAST: Aspect indicates a relationship btw ET and RT
Proposal: PERFECT and PROGRESSIVE aspect
. perfect: requires that ET precedes RT ET ≺ RT
. progressive: requires that ET overlap with RT ET ° RT
(11) a. At 2pm, I had worked on my dissertation (a little) PERF
b. At 2pm, I was checking facebook PROG
(i) Reference Time (RT) = 2pm
(ii) Event Time(ET) = the time I was(a) working on my dissertation(b) checking facebook
(iii) Utterance Time (UT) = the time I say the above sentencesM. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 57 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
PAST: Aspect indicates a relationship btw ET and RT
Proposal: PERFECT and PROGRESSIVE aspect
. perfect: requires that ET precedes RT ET ≺ RT
. progressive: requires that ET overlap with RT ET ° RT
(11) a. At 2pm, I had worked on my dissertation (a little) PERF
b. At 2pm, I was checking facebook PROG
Predictions:(11a) is true if ET (working time) precedes RT (2pm)(11b) is true if ET (facebook-checking time) overlaps with RT (2pm)
2pm
ET
PERFECTET ≺ RT
2pm
ET
PROGRESSIVEET ° RT
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 58 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
PAST: Aspect indicates a relationship btw ET and RT
CONTEXT
I woke up and started working on my dissertation. By the time 2pm rolledaround, however, I stopped writing so that I could check facebook.
2pm
ETwork
PERFECTET ≺ RT
2pm
ETFB
PROGRESSIVEET ° RT
(11) a. At 2pm, I was checking facebook (True!) PROG X
b. At 2pm, I had worked on my dissertation (True!) PERF X
(12) a. ET (facebook time) ° RT (2pm) ≺ UT
b. ET (working time) ≺ RT (2pm) ≺ UT
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 59 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
PAST: Aspect indicates a relationship btw ET and RT
CONTEXT
I woke up and started working on my dissertation. By the time 2pm rolledaround, however, I stopped writing so that I could check facebook.
2pm
ETwork
PERFECTET ≺ RT
2pm
ETFB
PROGRESSIVEET ° RT
(13) a. At 2pm, I was working on my dissertation (False!) PROG X
b. At 2pm, I had checked facebook (False!) PERF X
(14) a. ET (facebook time) ° RT (2pm) ≺ UT
b. ET (working time) ≺ RT (2pm) ≺ UT
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 60 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
PRESENT: Aspect indicates a relationship btw ET and RT
CONTEXT
I’ve been working on my dissertation this morning. But now I’m taking a breakto check facebook. Sonja asks me what’s up. I say:
NOW
ETwork
PERFECTET ≺ RT
NOW
ETFB
PROGRESSIVEET ° RT
(15) a. I am checking facebook (True!) PROG X
b. I have worked on my dissertation (True!) PERF X
(16) a. ET (facebook time) ° RT (now) = UT
b. ET (working time) ≺ RT (now) = UT
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 61 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
PRESENT: Aspect indicates a relationship btw ET and RT
CONTEXT
I’ve been working on my dissertation this morning. But now I’m taking a breakto check facebook. Sonja asks me what’s up. I say:
NOW
ETwork
PERFECTET ≺ RT
NOW
ETFB
PROGRESSIVEET ° RT
(17) a. I am working on my dissertation (False!) PROG X
b. I have checked facebook (False!) PERF X
(18) a. ET (facebook time) ° RT (now) = UT
b. ET (working time) ≺ RT (now) = UT
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 62 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
Viewpoint Aspect Semantics
Hypothesis: Aspect encodes a relation btw ET and RT
. perfect: requires that ET precedes RT(False otherwise)
. progressive: requires ET overlaps with RT(False otherwise)
Accounts for the data so far:
X Past Perfect ET ≺ RT ≺ UT
X Past Progressive ET ° RT ≺ UT
X Present Perfect ET ≺ RT = UT
X Present Progressive ET ° RT = UT
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 63 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
Back to Tense Semantics
Q: What is the semantic contribution of TENSE morphology?
(19) PROGRESSIVE
a. Right now, I am checking facebook PRESENT
b. At 2pm, I was checking facebook PAST
(20) PERFECT
a. Right now, I have worked on my dissertation PRESENT
b. At 2pm, I had worked on my dissertation PAST
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 64 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
What is the semantic contribution of TENSE morphology?
Hypothesis 2: TENSE indicates a relationship btw UT and RT
Tense morphology modifies truth-conditions by placing restrictionson the relationship between
(i) The utterance time (UT), and
(ii) The reference time (RT)
Hypothesis 2: PAST and PRESENT tense
. past: requires that RT precedes UT RT ≺ UT
. present: requires that RT is UT RT = UT
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 65 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
3.1 REVIEW: Our Basic Semantic Model3.2 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 1 - R(ET,UT)3.3 Viewpoint Aspect Semantics3.4 Tense Semantics: Hypothesis 2 - R(RT,UT)
What is the semantic contribution of TENSE morphology?
Hypothesis 2: PAST and PRESENT tense
. past: requires that RT precedes UT RT ≺ UT
. present: requires that RT is UT RT = UT
(21) PAST
a. At 2pm, I was checking facebook (2pm ≺ UT) X
b. At 2pm, I had worked on my dissertation (2pm ≺ UT) X
(22) PRESENT
a. Right now, I’ve worked on my dissertation (Now = UT) X
b. Right now, I am checking facebook (Now = UT) X
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 66 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
4.1 Summary: The Semantics of Tense and Aspect4.2 What about the SIMPLE Viewpoint Aspect?4.3 What about the PRAGMATICS of Tense and Aspect?
Summary: The Semantics of Tense and Aspect
TENSE SEMANTICSTenses indicate a relationship between the UT and RT:
. past: requires that RT precedes UT (RT ≺ UT)
. present: requires that RT is UT (RT = UT)
VIEWPOINT ASPECT SEMANTICSViewpoint Aspects indicate a relationship between the RT and ET:
. perfect: requires that ET precedes RT (ET ≺ RT)
. progressive: requires ET overlaps with RT (ET ° RT)
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 67 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
4.1 Summary: The Semantics of Tense and Aspect4.2 What about the SIMPLE Viewpoint Aspect?4.3 What about the PRAGMATICS of Tense and Aspect?
Summary: The Semantics of Tense and Aspect
Claim I: Tense and Aspect are morphosyntactically distinct
(i) They are not in complementary distribution.
(ii) Multiple aspects are allowed, multiple tenses are not allowed.a
aI didn’t show this, but we can discuss the data.
Claim II: Tense and Aspect are semantically distinct
(i) Tense indicates a relationship between the RT and UT
(ii) Aspect indicates a relationship between the RT and ET
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 68 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
4.1 Summary: The Semantics of Tense and Aspect4.2 What about the SIMPLE Viewpoint Aspect?4.3 What about the PRAGMATICS of Tense and Aspect?
Summary: The Semantics of Tense and Aspect
...wait a minute!
What about the semantics of the SIMPLE aspect?
i.e., our original question
Original Question
Why is the simple present interpreted as(i) ONGOING with states, but(ii) HABITUAL with eventives?
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 69 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
4.1 Summary: The Semantics of Tense and Aspect4.2 What about the SIMPLE Viewpoint Aspect?4.3 What about the PRAGMATICS of Tense and Aspect?
SIMPLE Viewpoint Aspect
...this gets a bit complicated/tricky.
I would have to introduce a new semantic concept(quantification) ...
...which I think is too much for an introductory course
So we’ll leave the simple aspect as a mystery for further inquiry.
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 70 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
4.1 Summary: The Semantics of Tense and Aspect4.2 What about the SIMPLE Viewpoint Aspect?4.3 What about the PRAGMATICS of Tense and Aspect?
Summary: The Semantics of Tense and Aspect
CONTEXTI’ve spent an hour working on my dissertation, but now I’m taking afacebook break. My advisor walks up and asks me what’s going on.
(23) a. I’ve worked on my dissertation. True!
b. ??I had worked on my dissertation. True!
Q: Why is (23b) weird?
PAST PERFECT: ET ≺ RT ≺ UT
But there is no contextually salient RT (distinct from UT)!
This violates a use-condition of the past perfect.
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 71 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
4.1 Summary: The Semantics of Tense and Aspect4.2 What about the SIMPLE Viewpoint Aspect?4.3 What about the PRAGMATICS of Tense and Aspect?
Next Time: Interactions between Tense and Aspect
1 Homework: N/A
2 Instagram Homework: Design Feature (your choice) Illustration
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 72 / 73
1 Introduction2 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Morphosyntax3.0 Tense and Viewpoint Aspect: Semantics
4.0 Summary and Further QuestionsReferences
References I
Bennett, M. & B.H. Partee. 1978. Toward the Logic of Tense and Aspect in English. IndianaUniversity Linguistics Club.
Hockett, Charles F. 1959. Animal "languages" and human language. Human Biology 31(1).32–39.
Klein, Wolfgang. 1994. Time in language. Psychology Press.
Reichenbach, Hans. 1947. Elements of Symbolic Logic. New York: Macmillan Co.
Rothstein, Susan D. 2004. Structuring Events: a Study in the Semantics of Lexical Aspect.Wiley-Blackwell.
Vendler, Zeno. 1957. Verbs and Times. The Philosophical Review 66(2). 143–160.
M. Louie ELC 231: Language and Linguistics 73 / 73
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