The Interpretation of Tense and Aspect in Argument Small Clauses in English
Author
Jiménez Fernández, ÁngelDate
2000Abstract
In this paper the interelation between tense and lexical aspect
(aktionsart) in argument small clauses (SCs) is studied from a minimalist
point of view. I will claim that Asp(ect) and T(ense) are present in the
derivation of SCs. Any predicate is given a particular aspectual feature
in the Lexicon, which may be [-/+ perfective], according to whether it
expresses a state of affairs or a change of state respectively. Different
temporal readings can be found in SCs, which depends crucially on the
matrix verb’s aspectual selection of the SC predicate. In minimalist
terms, I will assert that T is aspectually neutral, but it may be perfectivised
or imperfectivised depending on the feature sheltered under Asp. I propose
that Asp moves to adjoin to T before Spell-Out, making it perfective
or imperfective. In the domain of the complex category [Asp T] the
SC predicate checks its aspectual feature at LF.