As English and German are both Germanic languages they are closely related. However, there are still a lot of differences to be found when comparing the two languages. This is among other things due to the fact that English and German represent different language types. Among the grammatical categories relating to which the two languages can be analysed, tense and aspect are certainly salient. Before starting to analyse both languages with regard to these categories, the difference between tense and aspect has to be clarified. Tense is both a deictic and a relational category. Therefore it locates an event on the time line usually with reference to the time of speaking. Aspect, by contrast, does not locate an event or situation on the time line nor does it relate the time of one situation to another. It is rather concerned with “the internal temporal constituency of one situation”.
This term paper will examine how English and German differ in their use and expression of tense and aspect taking the perspective of a learner. First the three stages of tense and aspect acquisition by learners will be described in general terms. Particular attention will be paid to the influence of instruction on the learners. Then this term paper will examine how English and German differ in their use of tense. This will be illustrated on the example of the different uses of the perfect. Afterwards the focus will be on aspect. While English uses the progressive to indicate a change of aspect, there is no such formal equivalent in the German language. Therefore German learners of English are confronted with the question of how to express this “internal constituency of one situation” in their mother tongue. Various devices that are used by German learners of English to express the progressive will be exemplified. Both the section on tense and the section on the progressive will conclude with a focus on the difficulties for and the typical errors made by the learners. However, as there is no material available concerning English learners of German, only the German learners of English will be taken into account.
Table of Contents
- I. Introduction
- II. The acquisition of tense and aspect by learners in general
- II. 1. The three stages of tense-aspect acquisition
- II. 2. What has to be kept in mind concerning the learners
- II. 3. The Influence of Instruction
- III. The tenses of English and German
- IV. The perfect in English and in German
- IV. 2. The uses of the perfect in English
- IV. 3. Difficulties for and errors made by learners
- V. The Progressive
- V. 1. Lexical devices in German to express progressive
- V. 2. Different uses of the progressive in English
- V. 3. Difficulties for and errors made by learners
- VI. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper aims to analyze the differences between English and German in their use and expression of tense and aspect from a learner's perspective. It examines the acquisition process, focusing on the challenges faced by German learners of English. The paper also investigates the influence of instruction on this acquisition.
- Acquisition stages of tense and aspect
- Comparative analysis of tense and aspect in English and German
- The use of the perfect tense in both languages
- The expression of progressive aspect in English and German
- Difficulties and common errors made by German learners of English
Chapter Summaries
I. Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic by highlighting the similarities and differences between English and German, two closely related Germanic languages. It clarifies the distinction between tense and aspect, defining tense as a deictic and relational category locating events on a timeline relative to the time of speaking, and aspect as focusing on the internal temporal constituency of a situation. The chapter introduces Reichenbach's model for defining tense and aspect forms using the parameters of point of speech (S), point of event (E), and point of reference (R). Finally, it outlines the paper's structure, focusing on the analysis of tense and aspect in both languages from a learner's perspective, specifically German learners of English.
II. The acquisition of tense and aspect by learners in general: This chapter explores the three stages of tense-aspect acquisition identified by Bardovi-Harlig: the pragmatic, lexical, and morphological stages. It describes each stage in detail, explaining how learners utilize pragmatic devices (context, discourse, chronological order), lexical means (adverbials, connectives, nouns, verbs), and finally, verb morphology to express temporal reference. The chapter emphasizes the interplay between these stages, noting that learners continue to use strategies from earlier stages even as they acquire more advanced grammatical structures. The influence of instruction on the acquisition process is also discussed, highlighting that while instruction can be beneficial, it does not guarantee mastery of tense and aspect.
III. The tenses of English and German: (Note: Since no further information about this chapter is given, a summary can't be provided. A placeholder is offered in case more details become available.) This section would likely provide a detailed comparison of the tense systems in English and German, highlighting key differences and similarities in their usage and grammatical structures.
IV. The perfect in English and in German: This chapter delves into a comparative analysis of the perfect tense in English and German. It examines the various uses of the perfect in English and identifies specific challenges and common errors encountered by German learners of English when using this tense. The chapter likely provides examples of learner errors, illustrating the difficulties they face in mastering the nuances of the perfect tense across the two languages.
V. The Progressive: This chapter focuses on the progressive aspect, comparing its use in English and German. Since German lacks a direct equivalent to the English progressive, the chapter explores the strategies German learners employ to express progressive aspect in English. It likely provides examples of these strategies, analyzing their effectiveness and accuracy. Furthermore, it examines the difficulties encountered by learners and details common errors made in using the progressive aspect, offering insights into the challenges posed by this grammatical feature.
Keywords
Tense, aspect, language acquisition, English, German, contrastive linguistics, error analysis, second language acquisition, perfect tense, progressive aspect, pragmatic devices, lexical devices, morphological devices.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Tense and Aspect in English and German
What is the main focus of this language preview?
This preview analyzes the differences between English and German in their use and expression of tense and aspect, specifically focusing on the challenges faced by German learners of English. It examines the acquisition process and the influence of instruction.
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The preview covers an introduction, the general acquisition of tense and aspect by learners, a comparison of English and German tenses, a detailed look at the perfect and progressive aspects in both languages, and a conclusion. Each section includes sub-sections addressing specific aspects of tense and aspect acquisition and usage.
What are the key objectives and themes explored?
The key objectives are to analyze the differences in tense and aspect between English and German from a learner's perspective, examining the acquisition process, the challenges faced by German learners, and the impact of instruction. Key themes include acquisition stages, comparative analysis of tense and aspect, the perfect and progressive aspects in both languages, and common learner errors.
What are the three stages of tense-aspect acquisition discussed?
The preview discusses Bardovi-Harlig's three stages: the pragmatic stage (using context and discourse), the lexical stage (using adverbials and other lexical items), and the morphological stage (using verb morphology). It highlights that learners often utilize strategies from earlier stages even after acquiring more advanced structures.
How does the preview compare the perfect tense in English and German?
The preview provides a comparative analysis of the perfect tense, examining its various uses in English and identifying common errors made by German learners. It likely includes examples to illustrate these difficulties.
How does the preview address the progressive aspect in English and German?
The preview compares the use of the progressive aspect in both languages, acknowledging the lack of a direct equivalent in German. It explores strategies German learners use to express progressive aspect in English, analyzes their effectiveness, and details common errors.
What is Reichenbach's model and how is it relevant?
Reichenbach's model, used to define tense and aspect forms, utilizes the parameters of point of speech (S), point of event (E), and point of reference (R). This model is introduced in the introduction to provide a framework for understanding the complexities of tense and aspect.
What types of learner errors are discussed?
The preview discusses common errors made by German learners of English in using the perfect and progressive aspects. These errors are used to illustrate the challenges learners face in mastering the nuances of these tenses across the two languages.
What keywords are associated with this language preview?
Keywords include tense, aspect, language acquisition, English, German, contrastive linguistics, error analysis, second language acquisition, perfect tense, progressive aspect, pragmatic devices, lexical devices, and morphological devices.
What is the overall structure of the language preview?
The preview follows a logical structure, beginning with an introduction that sets the stage and defines key terms. It then proceeds through a discussion of general language acquisition, a comparison of English and German tenses, a detailed analysis of the perfect and progressive aspects, and finally concludes with a summary of findings.
- Quote paper
- Patricia Schneider (Author), 2009, Tense and Aspect in English and in German, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/159329
