-----Original Message-----
From: b-hebrew-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:b-hebrew-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Rolf Furuli
...
1) Ann was singing in the bathroom.
2) Ann has sung in the bathroom.
...
In English, each aspect has just one option for the
intersection of RT by ET: when the imperfective aspect is used, RT intersects ET
at the nucelus (only a small area in the middle is made visible), and
when
the perfective aspect is used, RT intersects ET at the coda
(only the
end is made visible). In Hebrew there are several options for
both aspects, both regarding the place that RT intersects ET and
regarding the breadth of the intersection.
This means that in English the end is always visible when the perfective aspect is used (the event is completed), and the end
is never visible when the imperfective aspect is used (the event is
incomplete).
Well, I can't speak to the Hebrew, but in English it ain't that simple -
aspect is hardly so tied to verbal form. Consider:
1) Ann was singing in the bathroom when she fell and broke her neck.
2) Ann has sung in the bathroom since 1972 and shows no sign of
stopping.
Stoney Breyer
Writer/Touchwood
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