On the evolution of verbal aspect in insular Celtic
-
Ailbhe Ó Corráin
Abstract
One of the most characteristic features of the insular Celtic Languages is the development of a system of spatially based and periphrastically constructed aspectual distinctions. These formations have, however, been the subject of comparatively little rigorous analysis. This is unfortunate, for the investigation of such a system can provide insights into the nature of verbal aspect in general and illuminate our understanding of the manner in which such grammatical categories develop over an extended period of time. In this paper, we will look at the formal and functional evolution of introspective, retrospective and prospective formations within insular Celtic, attempt to identify systemic reasons for the emergence of these formations, explore the pattern and sequence of their development and suggest ways in which the evolution of this insular Celtic aspectual system can throw light on the evolution of grammatical categories in general.
Abstract
One of the most characteristic features of the insular Celtic Languages is the development of a system of spatially based and periphrastically constructed aspectual distinctions. These formations have, however, been the subject of comparatively little rigorous analysis. This is unfortunate, for the investigation of such a system can provide insights into the nature of verbal aspect in general and illuminate our understanding of the manner in which such grammatical categories develop over an extended period of time. In this paper, we will look at the formal and functional evolution of introspective, retrospective and prospective formations within insular Celtic, attempt to identify systemic reasons for the emergence of these formations, explore the pattern and sequence of their development and suggest ways in which the evolution of this insular Celtic aspectual system can throw light on the evolution of grammatical categories in general.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Introduction 1
- On tense and mood in conditional clauses from Early to Late Latin 13
- The fate of the subjunctive in late Middle Persian 57
- The negated imperative in Russian and other Slavic languages 79
- Grammaticalisation of verbs into temporal and modal markers in Australian languages 107
- Aspect and tense in counterfactual main clauses 133
- On non-canonical modal clause junction in Turkic 159
- Reference, aspectuality and modality in ante-preterit (pluperfect) in Romance languages 173
- Subjects and objects with Latin habere and some of its Romance descendants 211
- Diachrony and typology in the history of Cree (Algonquian, Algic) 223
- Typological change in Vedic 261
- On the evolution of verbal aspect in insular Celtic 299
- The anticausative and related categories in the Old Germanic languages 329
- Directionality, case and actionality in Hittite 383
- The case of unaccusatives in Classical Portuguese 411
- Some historical developments of the verb in Neo-Aramaic 425
- Contributors 435
- Index 437
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Introduction 1
- On tense and mood in conditional clauses from Early to Late Latin 13
- The fate of the subjunctive in late Middle Persian 57
- The negated imperative in Russian and other Slavic languages 79
- Grammaticalisation of verbs into temporal and modal markers in Australian languages 107
- Aspect and tense in counterfactual main clauses 133
- On non-canonical modal clause junction in Turkic 159
- Reference, aspectuality and modality in ante-preterit (pluperfect) in Romance languages 173
- Subjects and objects with Latin habere and some of its Romance descendants 211
- Diachrony and typology in the history of Cree (Algonquian, Algic) 223
- Typological change in Vedic 261
- On the evolution of verbal aspect in insular Celtic 299
- The anticausative and related categories in the Old Germanic languages 329
- Directionality, case and actionality in Hittite 383
- The case of unaccusatives in Classical Portuguese 411
- Some historical developments of the verb in Neo-Aramaic 425
- Contributors 435
- Index 437
