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  • From: Rolf Furuli <furuli AT online.no>
  • To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] On the history of Hebrew YIQTOL and the Hebrew verb
  • Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2011 13:40:02 +0100

Dear Arnaud,

When we study a language and see that a clause has a particular meaning, a linguist will ask: Which part(s) of the clause cause this particular meaning? Is this meaning (for example tense) an intrinsic part of one or more of the constituents, or is the meaning caused by an interplay of different factors?

When Randall used the example with BW) in a future setting (example 2) below), he is correct that the clause is not open-ended, as clause 1) below is. But his conclusion that this shows that the clause is not imperfective, is wrong. He simply confuses Aktionsart and aspect.

1) Tomorrow I will work.

2) Tomorrow I will come

The verb BW) is either semelfactive (instantaneous) or telic (with the meaning "come in"). So the reason why 2) is not open-ended is the lexical meaning of the verb and the Aktionsart of BW). The verb "work" is dynamic and durative, and therefore 2) is open-ended.




We often see in discussions of Hebrew verbs that
aspect is confused with lexical meaning or
Aktionsart. Therefore, it is important to give
clear definitions of the terms. Aspect is given
different definitions in the literature, often
psychological definitions. A person discussing
aspect chooses one of the definitions, and if
other persons use different definitions,
confusion arise. The only way to avoid this
"random choice of an aspect definition" of which
I am aware, is to use the basic parameters
"deictic center," "reference time" and "event
time." By using these univesal parameters, one
needs not to start with a particular aspect
definition, but the meaning of each aspect will
emerge after one has worked with the text for a
long period.
***
These "universal parameters" as you say seem to be drawn from a mix of Enunciative, Semantic and Grammatical theories.
I see that mix as descriptively troublesome.


You are wrong here. Both "deictic center" and "event time" are objective properties, and not a mix of anything. You may want to read Bernard Comtie's elementary books "Tense" and "Aspect," in order to understand that these are fundamental linguistic terms. Comrie also uses "reference time," but different linguists have slightly different definitions of this term. Therefore, clear-cut definitions are needed.


Arnaud Fournet





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