Robert Binnick (1991: vii) wrote „whoever has read in one book that English has three tenses, in another that it has two, and in yet a third that is has sixteen (...) may be pardoned for some confusion and some skepticism as to the claim of linguistic scholars to know a great deal about tense“. This quotation illustrates the problem of the classification of the English tense system on which the focus of this paper will be based. Although linguists’ knowledge of the tense system has increased over the years, the problem is that, as Robin Lakoff wrote, they “cannot account for many ways in which tenses are used in English” (Binnick 1991: vii). Therefore, English tense(s) have not yet been understood completely. By comparing different authors and frameworks, this paper will present different approaches to the English tense system. The aim is not to provide a perfect solution to all answers but to introduce different viewpoints and to go a step beyond the common conceptualization of the English language by presenting competing theories.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- How many tenses are there in the English language?
- Describing temporal systems
- Hans Reichenbach
- William E. Bull
- Generative Semantics
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to explore the complexities of the English tense system by comparing different linguistic approaches. It seeks to present various viewpoints on the classification of tenses, moving beyond common conceptualizations of the English language.
- The ambiguity and inconsistencies in classifying English tenses.
- Different theoretical frameworks for analyzing the English tense system (e.g., three-tense vs. other models).
- The relationship between tense, aspect, and mood in English.
- The role of context in determining the meaning of tense forms.
- Comparison of English tense system with those of other languages.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The Introduction highlights the ongoing debate regarding the number of tenses in English, citing various perspectives and introducing the paper's comparative approach. The chapter "How many tenses are there in the English language?" examines different historical and contemporary views on the classification of tenses, from the traditional three-tense model to alternative frameworks that challenge this view. It analyzes the limitations of relying solely on form to define tenses and the influence of context and modality on tense meaning. The chapter "Describing temporal systems" begins to explore alternative theoretical frameworks for analyzing tenses.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
English tense system, tense classification, aspect, mood, temporal systems, comparative linguistics, Reichenbach, generative semantics, modal auxiliaries, grammatical analysis.
- Quote paper
- Marc Schubert (Author), 2011, A comparatative approach to the English tense system, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/183793
