Abstract

The goal of this thesis is to explore a new theory of verbal aspect. The theory is motivated primarily by a consideration of morphological and syntactico-semantic data from Slavic, but as a module of Universal Grammar it can be shown to be of much more general applicability. Thus Slavic aspect is contrasted with what can be found in a variety of other languages. The proposed system of representation is derivational in character: Final aspectual structures are built up by a small number of operations from lexical representations. The theory posits only two aspectual primitives . ;Chapter One begins with an overview of much of the relevant data from the Slavic language Polish. Morphological and syntactico-semantic reflexes of aspect are identified and correlated. This leads directly to a formulation of the theory. The workings of the latter are demonstrated with respect to Polish verbs of motion. Its applicability to other languages is also discussed; one of the key factors contributing to language differences is different means of lexical underspecification of aspectual structures. ;Chapter Two examines further data from Slavic. It is shown how double-aspect phenomena, inherent perfectivity, and habituals can be construed as providing support for a theory of the type envisaged here. The proposed theory is summarised in this chapter. ;Chapter Three is an exploration of the connection between aspect and prepositional notions. Core prepositions are taken to be interaction-denoting categories, a view that is contrasted with locationist hypotheses. Some aspectual consequences of this view are developed. ;Finally, chapter Four continues the study of extra-Slavic and prima facie extra-aspectual implications of the theory here proposed. The dative alternation in English is examined, as are the English locative alternation, Georgian medial verbs, and restrictions on English 're-' prefixation. Light is shed on these phenomena, which at the same time provide empirical support for such theoretical devices as aspectual zerohood, box-layering, and lexical underspecification.