Time in natural language. Syntactic interfaces with semantics and discourse. Interface explorations, 11

Thompson, Ellen:

ISBN 10: 3110184141 / ISBN 13: 9783110184143

Published by Berlin ; New York: Mouton de Gruyter, 2005

About this Item

XV, 224 S. Tadelloser, neuwertiger Zustand. -- Inhalt: Time in Natural Language: Syntactic Framework -- Semantic Framework of Tense -- Semantic Framework of Aspect -- Organization of the Book -- The Structure of Time Adverbials: Semantic Framework -- A Syntax for Tense -- The Syntax of Adverbials -- Syntax of Temporal Adverbials -- Linear Order Restrictions -- Coordination -- Preposition Stranding -- Contituency Tests -- Direct Objects and Temporal Adverbials -- Negation and Temporal Adverbials -- Scope of Adverbials -- Clause-initial Temporal Adverbials -- An Ambiguity with Durative Adverbials -- In Favor of an Adjunction Analysis of Temporal Adverbials -- Adjunct Clauses and the Structural Representation of Simultaneity: Temporal Ambiguity of Clausal Adjuncts -- Syntax and Semantics of Temporal Adjunct Clauses -- Analysis of Temporal Ambiguity -- Preposition Stranding with Temporals in English -- Direct Object/Adjunct Asymmetries -- Clause-initial Temporal Adjuncts -- When Clauses -- Ellipsis Structures -- In Favor of an Adjunction Analysis of Temporal Clauses -- The Temporal Syntax of Arguments: Reduced Relatives in -- Subject Position: Interpretation of Gerundive Relatives -- Reduced Clause Structure of Gerundive Relatives -- Syntax of Subject Gerundive Relatives -- Structural Evidence -- Reconstruction Effects and Gerundive Relatives -- Extraposition of Gerundive Relatives -- Principles of Time in Discourse: Temporal Syntax beyond the Sentence: Position and Interpretation of then -- Syntax of then -- Semantics of then -- A Restriction on Tense Structures -- Perfect Tenses with then -- Futurate Readings -- Infinitival Clauses -- The Structure of Aspect: Semantic Framework -- A Syntax for Aspect -- Syntax of Quickly -- Syntax of Time Frame and Durative Adjuncts -- Syntax and Semantics of Aspectual Verbs: Semantics of Aspectual Verbs -- Syntax and Interpretation of Verb Movement. ISBN 9783110184143 Sprache: Englisch Gewicht in Gramm: 472 Fadengehefteter Originalpappband.

Seller Inventory # 1027355

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Time in natural language. Syntactic interfaces with semantics and discourse. Interface explorations, 11
• Publisher: Berlin ; New York: Mouton de Gruyter
• Publication Date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3110184141
• ISBN 13: 9783110184143
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Sehr gut
• Weight: 472 grams
• Seller catalogs:
  • Linguistik

About this title

Synopsis

Time in Natural Language investigates the relationship between the syntactic and semantic representations of sentences within the domain of tense. Assuming that tenses are semantically composed of three distinct times, Thompson proposes that these times map onto the syntax in a regular fashion: each time is associated with a unique syntactic head. Adopting the Minimalist approach to syntactic theory, this approach makes possible insightful analyses of syntactic structures involving temporal dependency.

Thompson argues that, depending on their adjunction site, temporal adverbials modify different parts of the tense structure of the clause. Locating the Event time within VP, it is correctly predicted that an adverbial that modifies the Event time is adjoined to VP. On the other hand, since the Reference time is argued to be within AspP, when an adverbial is adjoined to AspP, it modifies the Reference time. The syntax of temporal adjunct clauses is accounted for in a similar fashion; they may be adjoined either to VP, where they are interpreted as simultaneous with the matrix event, or to AspP, where they are interpreted as nonsimultaneous.

Thompson shows that the analysis sheds light on the less-studied issue of the temporal syntax of arguments. Subjects with gerundive relative clauses are claimed to be interpreted in VP at LF when the relative clause is temporally dependent on the Event time of the main clause, and in TP when the relative clause is dependent on the Speech time of the main clause. By extending the syntactic proposal to investigate the discourse-level effects of tense, an original analysis of the discourse representation of tense is proposed. Thompson argues that the discourse representation of tense is based on same primitives and subject to the same principles as the syntactic representation of tense, based on an in-depth examination of the structure and meaning of the temporal discourse adverb then.

About the Author

Ellen Thompson is Assistant Professor of Linguistics in the English Department, Florida International University, Miami, USA.