Time In Natural Language

Time in Natural Language investigates the relationship between the syntactic and semantic representations of sentences within the Minimalist Program. Thompson proposes an analysis which brings together the semantic theory of tense developed by Reichenbach and the syntactic representation proposed in contemporary generative grammar. By introducing a novel principle for the mapping from the meaning to the structure of time, Thompson is able to account for a wide variety of constructions involving temporal expressions.

Acknowledgments

ix

Chapter 1 Time in Natural Language

1.1 Introduction

1

(2)

1.2 Syntactic Framework

3

(1)

1.3 Semantic Framework of Tense

4

(3)

1.3.1 Reichenbach (1947)

4

(1)

1.3.1.1 Times as Semantic Features

5

(1)

1.3.2 Syntax of Tense

5

(2)

1.4 Semantic Framework of Aspect

7

(3)

1.4.1 Jackendoff (1991)

9

(1)

1.4.2 Syntax of Aspect

10

(1)

1.5 Organization of the Book

10

(5)

Chapter 2 The Structure of Time Adverbials

2.1 Introduction

15

(1)

2.2 Semantic Framework

16

(1)

2.3 A Syntax for Tense

16

(1)

2.4 The Syntax of Adverbials

17

(2)

2.4.1 The Locality of Adverbial Modification

18

(1)

2.5 Syntax of Temporal Adverbials

19

(3)

2.5.1 An Ambiguity in Temporal Adverbials

21

(1)

2.6 Linear Order Restrictions

22

(1)

2.7 Coordination

23

(3)

2.8 Preposition Stranding

26

(1)

2.9 Contituency Tests

27

(1)

2.10 Direct Objects and Temporal Adverbials

27

(3)

2.10.1 A Minimalist Account of the Asymmetry

28

(2)

2.11 Negation and Temporal Adverbials

30

(2)

2.12 Scope of Adverbials

32

(7)

2.12.1 Agent-Oriented Adverbs

32

(3)

2.12.2 Manner Adverbs

35

(4)

2.13 Clause-initial Temporal Adverbials

39

(1)

2.14 An Ambiguity with Durative Adverbials

40

(1)

2.15 In Favor of an Adjunction Analysis of Temporal Adverbials

41

(2)

2.16 Conclusion

43

(8)

Chapter 3 Adjunct Clauses and the Structural Representation of Simultaneity

3.1 Introduction

51

(1)

3.2 Temporal Ambiguity of Clausal Adjuncts

52

(4)

3.2.1 Movement Analysis of Temporal Ambiguity: Geis (1970)

52

(1)

3.2.2 Case-based Analysis of Temporal Ambiguity: Larson (1990)

53

(3)

3.2.2.1 Other English Connectives

54

(1)

3.2.2.2 German Temporal Prepositions

55

(1)

3.3 Syntax and Semantics of Temporal Adjunct Clauses

56

(4)

3.3.1 The Semantics of the Null Operator

56

(2)

3.3.2 A Structure for Temporal Adjunct Clauses

58

(2)

3.4 Analysis of Temporal Ambiguity

60

(8)

3.4.1 Simultaneous Adjunct Clauses

60

(6)

3.4.2 Nonsimultaneous Adjunct Clauses

66

(2)

3.5 Preposition Stranding with Temporals in English

68

(1)

3.6 Direct Object/Adjunct Asymmetries

69

(2)

3.7 Clause-initial Temporal Adjuncts

71

(1)

3.8 When Clauses

71

(5)

3.9 Ellipsis Structures

76

(4)

3.9.1 TP Ellipsis

76

(1)

3.9.2 VP Ellipsis

77

(2)

3.9.3 Antecedent Contained Deletion with Arguments

79

(1)

3.10 In Favor of an Adjunction Analysis of Temporal Clauses

80

(2)

3.11 Conclusion

82

(5)

Chapter 4 The Temporal Syntax of Arguments: Reduced Relatives in Subject Position

4.1 Introduction

87

(1)

4.2 Interpretation of Gerundive Relatives

88

(7)

4.2.1 Temporal Dependency of Gerundive Relatives

89

(2)

4.2.2 Speech Time Readings

91

(4)

4.2.2.1 Historical Present Contexts

91

(1)

4.2.2.2 Sequence of Tense Constructions

91

(4)

4.3 Reduced Clause Structure of Gerundive Relatives

95

(2)

4.3.1 Missing CP Projection

95

(1)

4.3.2 Missing Inflectional Projections

96

(1)

4.4 Syntax of Subject Gerundive Relatives

97

(2)

4.4.1 A Restriction on Time Linking

97

(2)

4.4.2 Locality of Temporal Interpretation

99

(1)

4.5 Structural Evidence

99

(11)

4.5.1 Coordination

100

(1)

4.5.2 Existential Constructions

101

(1)

4.5.3 Scope of Quantificational Adverbials

102

(2)

4.5.4 Scope of Cardinality Adverbials

104

(2)

4.5.5 Extraposition

106

(3)

4.5.6 Presuppositionality Effects

109

(1)

4.6 Reconstruction Effects and Gerundive Relatives

110

(1)

4.7 Extraposition of Gerundive Relatives

111

(1)

4.8 Conclusion

112

(7)

Chapter 5 Principles of Time in Discourse: Temporal Syntax beyond the Sentence

5.1 Introduction

119

(1)

5.2 Position and Interpretation of then

120

(1)

5.3 Syntax of then

121

(10)

5.3.1 Clause-final then

122

(1)

5.3.2 Clause-medial then

122

(6)

5.3.3 Clause-initial then

128

(3)

5.4 Semantics of then

131

(2)

5.5 A Restriction on Tense Structures

133

(7)

5.6 Perfect Tenses with then

140

(7)

5.7 Futurate Readings

147

(1)

5.8 Infinitival Clauses

148

(2)

5.9 Conclusion

150

(7)

Chapter 6 The Structure of Aspect

6.1 Introduction

157

(1)

6.2 Semantic Framework

158

(4)

6.2.1 Compositionality of Telicity

160

(2)

6.3 A Syntax for Aspect

162

(2)

6.4 Syntax of Quickly

164

(3)

6.4.1 Linear Order of Quickly

165

(1)

6.4.2 Preposing of Quickly

166

(1)

6.5 Syntax of Time Frame and Durative Adjuncts

167

(9)

6.5.1 Preposition Stranding

167

(2)

6.5.2 Scope of only

169

(2)

6.5.3 Parastic Gap Constructions

171

(2)

6.5.4 Specificity Effects with Time Frame and Durative Adjuncts

173

(3)

6.6 Conclusion

176

(7)

Chapter 7 Syntax and Semantics of Aspectual Verbs

7.1 Introduction

183

(1)

7.2 Semantics of Aspectual Verbs

183

(2)

7.3 Syntax and Interpretation of Verb Movement

185

(17)

7.3.1 Association with focus

187

(3)

7.3.2 Existential Constructions

190

(3)

7.3.3 Extraposition

193

(3)

7.3.4 Quantifier Scope Ambiguities

196

(6)

7.4 Conclusion

202

(3)

References

205

(16)

Index

221

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

FREE SHIPPING

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Time In Natural Language

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials