Present perfect : a semantic framework

Abstract

Abstract: This dissertation sets out to build a semantic framework for the English present perfect capable of accounting for: [1] the opposition between the English present perfect and the simple past, [2] the classification of the English present perfect into the category of tense, [3] the ambiguity of the English present perfect with durational adverbs and [4] McCawley's primary readings of the present perfect (1971). In chapter 1, the widespread notions of "indefiniteness" and "current relevance," used to characterize the opposition between the English present perfect and the simple past, are identified in five well-known grammar resource books utilized by EFL teachers. It is argued that these notions fail ultimately to characterize this opposition. In chapter 2, four tense theories are disciissed in relation to the present perfect: [1] Reichenbach's (1948), [2] Bull's (1960), [3] Allen's (1967) and [4] Comrie's (1985). None of them, however, is found to be suitable to accommodate the present perfect comfortably. In consequence, the need of a new model is pointed out. In chapter 3, the "extended-now" interpretation of the present perfect is discussed in detail, and Declerck's tense model (1986) is presented as capable of accounting for it and for the opposition between the present perfect and the simple past. In chapter 4, a semantic model for the present perfect is developed, based on Declerck's (1986) tense model and Godoi's (1992) definitions of "Aspectual Classes" and "Aspect". It is argued that this model is capable of: [1] offering a new semantic frame to analyze the ambiguity of the present perfect with durational adverbs; [2] providing a new semantic interpretation for McCawley's primary readings (1971). It is also argued in this chapter that the English present perfect is a "tense" and not a marker of "aspect" as claimed by Comrie (1976/1985). Finally, in chapter 5, we compare the English present perfect with Portuguese tenses and suggest some key concepts that, according to our analysis, are considered fundamental to an unequivocal understanding of this tense.