Spanish Verb Tenses: Their Names and Meanings

Terminological inadequacy in the nomenclature of Spanish V tenses reflects an inadequate understanding of their functions. The categories of time, order, aspect, & mood are examined functionally through evidence from substitution in an attempt to determine one fundamental value of each tense. Su...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hispania 1984-03, Vol.67 (1), p.92-99
Main Author: Resnick, Melvyn C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academia
Fundamental value
Grammatical aspect
Grammemes
Infinitives
Language
Language and Linguistics
Linguistic theory
Linguistics
Names
Terminology
Theoretical points. Linguistic concepts
Verbs
Citations: Items that cite this one
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Description
Summary:Terminological inadequacy in the nomenclature of Spanish V tenses reflects an inadequate understanding of their functions. The categories of time, order, aspect, & mood are examined functionally through evidence from substitution in an attempt to determine one fundamental value of each tense. Substitution is defined as the optional use of an unmarked form, rather than a corresponding marked one, in cases of linguistic or situational redundancy. The cardinal tense (present tense) has no unique fundamental value; lacking semantic restrictions, it substitutes for other tenses atemporally, in past, present, or future time, & in all aspects & moods. With exclusively perfective aspect, the perfect tense (preterite) substitutes for other tenses in the perfective narration of atemporal, past, or future events. Likewise, the exclusively imperfective aspect of the imperfect tense permits its use in past, present, or future time & in the conditional mood. The future & conditional tenses have modal or temporal value, or both simultaneously; modal value predominates when in conflict. The compound tenses exhibit only morphological unity. 9 References. AA
ISSN:0018-2133
2153-6414
DOI:10.2307/342248