‘The imperfective paradox’ within the framework of S. Karolak’s theory Cover Image

Le « paradoxe de l’imperfectivité » dans la perspective de la théorie de S. Karolak
‘The imperfective paradox’ within the framework of S. Karolak’s theory

Author(s): Anna Nowakowska
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego
Keywords: Imperfective paradox; telic; progressive; accomplishment verbs; configuration of aspects.

Summary/Abstract: This article deals with the so called “Imperfective paradox” and the way in which this paradox is explained by S. Karolak’s theory of aspect. The “Imperfective paradox” concerns the accomplishment verbs (Vendler) in the progressive form, which is generally considered in English as the imperfective aspect. One of the consequences of this paradox is that for instance the sentence John was drawing a circle doesn’t imply John drew a circle. In the theory of S. Karolak this paradox disappears. Theses verbs are analyzed as telic configuration of aspects or limitative-telic configuration of aspects.

  • Issue Year: 2010
  • Issue No: 22
  • Page Range: 107-124
  • Page Count: 18
  • Language: French