[B-Greek] Questions about NT verbal aspect

James Tauber jtauber at jtauber.com
Thu Jan 18 12:29:50 EST 2007


On 18/01/2007, at 11:58 AM, Jonathan Robie wrote:
> [...]
> Whether you prefer to say "kind of action", Aktionsart, or aspect, you
> also have to figure out the relationship between time and aspect, and
> how these relate to the forms a verb can take.


Good post, Jonathan.

Just one point: Aktionsart isn't quite the same as aspect. When one  
talks about the aspect of different forms of a verb, they are talking  
about *grammatical aspect*. Aktionsart, on the other hand, is  
*lexical aspect*; in other words, the time structure inherent to the  
lexeme, regardless of form.

When you contrast:

(1) I walked to the store.
(2) I was walking to the store.

you are contrasting grammatical aspect (perfective versus  
imperfective) in one lexeme.

On the other hand, Aktionsart (i.e. lexical aspect) makes contrasts  
between lexemes: e.g. achievements versus accomplishments versus  
activities.


James Tauber




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