ABSTRACT

In chapter 2, I argued that the lexical aspect classes should be described as combinations of privative features which may be marked or left unspecified, rather than as fully specified equipollent features. Unlike previous accounts, my analysis allows aspectual composition to be monotonic without introducing stipulative rules. The privative model also predicts the range of pragmatic implicatures associated with unmarked features. In addition, I showed that the features-[+dynamic], [+durative], and [+telic ]-may be further exploited to describe other lexical aspect classes proposed in the literature. Unattested feature combinations are excluded by appealing to the temporal constituency of the Event Time (ET) presupposed by these features. Situations denoted by verbs must have a nucleus, that portion of the situation denoted by [+dynamic] and/or [+durative] features. They may also have a coda: that portion denoted by [+telic].