Two kinds of VERUM distinguished by aspect choice in Russian
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Olav Mueller-Reichau
Abstract
The paper proposes a direct tie between the existential use of imperfective aspect in Russian and the expression of VERUM. It is argued that the kind of VERUM expressed in these cases differs from the kind of VERUM that utterances based on perfective verb forms convey. In the former cases the speaker invites the addressee to infer the truth of a generic proposition, whereas in the latter cases she invites the addressee to infer the truth of an episodic proposition. It is also shown that in the imperfective cases VERUM may be indicated by verum focus, whereas for perfective aspect to express VERUM verum focus is mandatory.
Abstract
The paper proposes a direct tie between the existential use of imperfective aspect in Russian and the expression of VERUM. It is argued that the kind of VERUM expressed in these cases differs from the kind of VERUM that utterances based on perfective verb forms convey. In the former cases the speaker invites the addressee to infer the truth of a generic proposition, whereas in the latter cases she invites the addressee to infer the truth of an episodic proposition. It is also shown that in the imperfective cases VERUM may be indicated by verum focus, whereas for perfective aspect to express VERUM verum focus is mandatory.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- The grammatical realization of polarity contrast 1
- From polarity focus to salient polarity 9
- Verum focus, sentence mood, and contrast 55
- Complementizers and negative polarity in German hypothetical comparatives 89
- Veridicality and sets of alternative worlds 109
- Biased declarative questions in Swedish and German 129
- On two types of polar interrogatives in Hungarian and their interaction with inside and outside negation 173
- Two kinds of VERUM distinguished by aspect choice in Russian 203
- Polarity focus and non-canonical syntax in Italian, French and Spanish 227
- In search for polarity contrast marking in Italian 255
- Index 289
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- The grammatical realization of polarity contrast 1
- From polarity focus to salient polarity 9
- Verum focus, sentence mood, and contrast 55
- Complementizers and negative polarity in German hypothetical comparatives 89
- Veridicality and sets of alternative worlds 109
- Biased declarative questions in Swedish and German 129
- On two types of polar interrogatives in Hungarian and their interaction with inside and outside negation 173
- Two kinds of VERUM distinguished by aspect choice in Russian 203
- Polarity focus and non-canonical syntax in Italian, French and Spanish 227
- In search for polarity contrast marking in Italian 255
- Index 289
