The Processing of Tense

by Dickey, Michael Walsh

• ISBN13: 9781402001840
• ISBN10: 1402001843
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-04-01
• Publisher: Kluwer Academic Pub

Summary

Presents and in-depth study of the processing of tense, more specifically the English past tense. Offers novel theoretical perspectives on issues of both linguistic and psycholinguistic interest.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xi
Foreword	xiii
Greg Carlson
Introduction	1	(54)
The Problem: The Processing of Tense	1	(5)
Empirical Phenomena	6	(9)
Temporal anaphora	6	(3)
Temporal adverbs and adverb preposing	9	(3)
The Sequence-of Tense ambiguity	12	(3)
Structure and Interpretation of Tense	15	(17)
Quantificational versus referential views of tense	16	(4)
Bringing together quantificational and referential properties: The ambiguity of the English simple past	20	(6)
Formal representation of the semantic content of tense	26	(5)
Summary and implications for the processing of tense	31	(1)
Structure of the Language Processor and Hypotheses	32	(20)
Assumptions regarding the HSPM	32	(8)
Simplicity versus Parsimony	40	(6)
Predictions and hypotheses	46	(6)
Contents of the Book	52	(3)
Interpreting AspectP	55	(60)
Introduction	55	(2)
The Special Role of Preposed Adverbials in Temporal Interpretation	57	(17)
Temporal adverbials	57	(3)
Preposed adverbials as Reference Time providers	60	(9)
Preposed adverbials as sentence-external elements	69	(5)
The Discourse Function of Adverb Preposing' and the Adverbial Domains Hypothesis	74	(8)
Preposed adverbials as discourse segment markers	74	(5)
The Adverbial Domains Hypothesis	79	(3)
Aspect and the Role of Rhetorical Relations	82	(11)
The contribution of rhetorical relations to temporal interpretation	82	(9)
Implications for the ADH	91	(2)
Study 1 - Preposing and Aspect Interpretation	93	(9)
Introduction	93	(1)
Study	93	(8)
Discussion	101	(1)
Study 2 - Preposing and Aspect Interpretation Redux	102	(8)
Introduction	102	(1)
Study	103	(5)
Discussion	108	(2)
General Discussion and Conclusions	110	(5)
Interpreting TenseP	115	(50)
Introduction	115	(2)
Representing Temporal Anaphora	117	(8)
TP and temporal anaphora	117	(4)
Alternative approaches to tense and temporal anaphora	121	(3)
Summary and implications for processing of tense	124	(1)
Anaphora Resolution	125	(13)
Definite NPs and pronouns	126	(5)
Other types of anaphora resolution	131	(3)
Temporal anaphora - an indirect test	134	(3)
Summary	137	(1)
Hypotheses Regarding the Interpretation of TP	138	(2)
Study 3 - Temporal Context Clash	140	(7)
Introduction	140	(1)
Study	141	(5)
Discussion	146	(1)
Study 4 - Minimal Events and Tp Interpretation	147	(13)
Introduction	147	(4)
Study	151	(7)
Discussion	158	(2)
General Discussion and Conclusions	160	(5)
Sequence of Tense and Simplicity	165	(48)
Introduction	165	(2)
Representing the Sot Ambiguity	167	(14)
The facts of SOT phenomena	167	(7)
Representing SOT	174	(5)
Alternative approaches to SOT	179	(1)
Summary and implications for resolving the ambiguity	180	(1)
Previous Results	181	(2)
Hypotheses Regarding the Resolution of Sot Ambiguities	183	(4)
Study 5 - Pilot Sot Questionnaire Study	187	(8)
Introduction	187	(1)
Study	187	(6)
Discussion	193	(2)
Study 6 - Sot Questionnaire Study: Adverb Effects	195	(7)
Introduction	195	(1)
Study	196	(4)
Discussion	200	(2)
Study 7 - Sot On-Line	202	(7)
Introduction	202	(1)
Study	202	(5)
Discussion	207	(2)
General Discussion and Conclusions	209	(4)
Conclusions and Remaining Questions	213	(18)
The Questions	213	(4)
Implications for Models of the Processor: Structure-Driven or Discourse-Driven?	217	(2)
Implications for the Representation Of Tense and Temporal Relations: One Interpretive Step or Two?	219	(3)
Questions for Further Research	222	(9)
Interpreting TenseP	222	(1)
Interpreting AspectP	223	(2)
Different methodologies	225	(2)
Larger issues	227	(4)
APPENDICES	231	(66)
Appendix A: Materials for Study 1, Preposing and Aspect Interpretation	231	(6)
Appendix B: Materials for Study 2, Preposing and Aspect Interpretation Redux	237	(9)
Appendix C: Materials for Study 3, Temporal Context Clash	246	(4)
Appendix D: Materials for Study 4, Minimal Events and to Interpretation	250	(27)
Appendix E: Materials for Study 5, Sot Pilot Questionnaire	277	(3)
Appendix F: Materials for Study 6, Sot Questionnaire: Adverb Effects	280	(14)
Appendix G: Materials for Study 7, Sot On-Line	294	(3)
References	297	(10)
Index	307