Duration in English: A Basic Choice, Illustrated in Comparison With Dutch (Topics in English Linguistics)

The future of English linguistics as envisaged by the editors of Topics in English Linguistics lies in empirical studies, which integrate work in English linguistics into general and theoretical linguistics on the one hand, and comparative linguistics on the other. The TiEL series features volumes that present interesting new data and analyses, and above all fresh approaches that contribute to the overall aim of the series, which is to further outstanding research in English linguistics. For further publications in English linguistics see also our Dialects of English book series. To discuss your book idea or submit a proposal, please contact Natalie Fecher. Acknowledgements Introduction 1. The systems of mood and aspect: Form and meaning 1. Time as represented in the present perfect/voltooid tegenwoordige tijd 2. Mood 3. Aspect 2. The first difference: Expressing “duration so far” 3. The second difference: The Transpast Transcendent and the expression of past time 1. The Transpast Transcendent: an event 1.1. Other grammarians on the Transpast Transcendent 2. Interceptive possibilities of the Transpast Transcendent 3. The second major difference between English and Dutch 4. The Transpast Transcendent in English + “past time” adverbs 5. A basic difference between the Transpast Transcendent and the Past Immanent in Dutch 4. The third difference: The elusiveness of present relevance 1. The nature of present relevance 1.1. Inferences 1.2. Experience 1.3. Primary versus secondary effects 1.4. Conditioning effect of a deceased subject 1.5. Persistence of the effect 2. Applying the explanation to the translation of Dutch examples Conclusion 1. Summary 2. Problem cases 2.1. Events just over 2.2. The verb forms after enumerative clauses 2.3. Coming back to Chapter 2 3. A general problem 4. A glance at two other Germanic languages 4.1. German 4.2. Swedish 5. A final remark Notes Bibliography Index

The future of English linguistics as envisaged by the editors of Topics in English Linguistics lies in empirical studies which integrate work in English linguistics into general and theoretical linguistics on the one hand, and comparative linguistics on the other. The TiEL series features volumes that present interesting new data and analyses, and above all fresh approaches that contribute to the overall aim of the series, which is to further outstanding research in English linguistics.

Before a comparison between the uses of the present perfect in English and in Dutch can profitably be undertaken, this verb form must first be identified as to its tense and meaning.