8. More than “time”
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Sonja Zeman
Abstract
In the previous chapter, Vanek shows that cross-linguistic differences in organising temporal information can be traced back to different processes of time perspectivation. As space and time are considered to be conceptually intertwined, it seems natural in this respect to ask to what extent the spatial concept of ‘frame of reference’ (Levinson 2003) can serve as a template for comparison of spatial and temporal localisation in language. This question is pursued from a historical perspective by means of the Middle High German tense system. It is shown that the distinction of an ‘anaphoric’ vs ‘deictic’ reference system is a crucial factor for the binary constitution of the Middle High German tense system. Taking into account the underlying frame of reference not only allows an appropriate semantic description but is also capable of explaining register variation that cannot be handled within a pure temporal approach. Against this background, possible correspondences between grammatical and sociocultural developments as the medial shift from orality to literacy are discussed.
Abstract
In the previous chapter, Vanek shows that cross-linguistic differences in organising temporal information can be traced back to different processes of time perspectivation. As space and time are considered to be conceptually intertwined, it seems natural in this respect to ask to what extent the spatial concept of ‘frame of reference’ (Levinson 2003) can serve as a template for comparison of spatial and temporal localisation in language. This question is pursued from a historical perspective by means of the Middle High German tense system. It is shown that the distinction of an ‘anaphoric’ vs ‘deictic’ reference system is a crucial factor for the binary constitution of the Middle High German tense system. Taking into account the underlying frame of reference not only allows an appropriate semantic description but is also capable of explaining register variation that cannot be handled within a pure temporal approach. Against this background, possible correspondences between grammatical and sociocultural developments as the medial shift from orality to literacy are discussed.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Editors and contributors ix
- Foreword: Space and time in languages, cultures, and cognition xiii
- Introduction: Linguistic diversity in the spatio-temporal domain 1
-
I. Representing location in space and time
- 1. Spatial relations in Hinuq and Bezhta 15
- 2. Pragmatically disambiguating space 35
- 3. The semantics of the perfect progressive in English 53
- 4. Drowning “into” the river in North Sámi 73
- 5. Cross-linguistic differences in expressing time and universal principles of utterance interpretation 95
- 6. Modelling temporal reasoning 123
- 7. Language-specific perspectives in reference to time in the discourse of Czech, English, and Hungarian speakers 135
- 8. More than “time” 157
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II. Space and time in language acquisition
- 9. L2 acquisition of tense-aspect morphology 181
- 10. Motion events in Japanese and English 205
- 11. ‘He walked up the pole with arms and legs’ 233
- 12. Caused motion events across languages and learner types 263
- 13. Spatial prepositions in Italian L2 289
- 14. Expressing simultaneity using aspect 325
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III. Dynamic relations in space and time domains
- 15. Variation in motion events 349
- 16. Italian motion constructions 373
- 17. A temporal approach to motion verbs 395
- 18. The role of grammar in the conceptualisation of ‘progression’ 417
- 19. The locative PP motion construction in Polish 437
- 20. Path salience in motion descriptions in Jaminjung 459
- Contents of the companion volume: Language, culture, and cognition 481
- Name index 483
- Subject index 487
- Language index 491
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Editors and contributors ix
- Foreword: Space and time in languages, cultures, and cognition xiii
- Introduction: Linguistic diversity in the spatio-temporal domain 1
-
I. Representing location in space and time
- 1. Spatial relations in Hinuq and Bezhta 15
- 2. Pragmatically disambiguating space 35
- 3. The semantics of the perfect progressive in English 53
- 4. Drowning “into” the river in North Sámi 73
- 5. Cross-linguistic differences in expressing time and universal principles of utterance interpretation 95
- 6. Modelling temporal reasoning 123
- 7. Language-specific perspectives in reference to time in the discourse of Czech, English, and Hungarian speakers 135
- 8. More than “time” 157
-
II. Space and time in language acquisition
- 9. L2 acquisition of tense-aspect morphology 181
- 10. Motion events in Japanese and English 205
- 11. ‘He walked up the pole with arms and legs’ 233
- 12. Caused motion events across languages and learner types 263
- 13. Spatial prepositions in Italian L2 289
- 14. Expressing simultaneity using aspect 325
-
III. Dynamic relations in space and time domains
- 15. Variation in motion events 349
- 16. Italian motion constructions 373
- 17. A temporal approach to motion verbs 395
- 18. The role of grammar in the conceptualisation of ‘progression’ 417
- 19. The locative PP motion construction in Polish 437
- 20. Path salience in motion descriptions in Jaminjung 459
- Contents of the companion volume: Language, culture, and cognition 481
- Name index 483
- Subject index 487
- Language index 491
