LINGUIST List 21.2354 Wed May 26 2010 Diss: Semantics/Syntax: Oliveira: 'Temporality in infinitive ...' Editor for this issue: Mfon Udoinyang <mfonlinguistlist.org> To post to LINGUIST, use our convenient web form at http://linguistlist.org/LL/posttolinguist.cfm. Directory         1.    Raquel Oliveira, Temporality in infinitive completive clauses subcategorized by perception and causative verbs: Analysis of a medieval Portuguese corpus Message 1: Temporality in infinitive completive clauses subcategorized by perception and causative verbs: Analysis of a medieval Portuguese corpus Date: 25-May-2010 From: Raquel Oliveira <raqueloliveirafcsh.unl.pt> Subject: Temporality in infinitive completive clauses subcategorized by perception and causative verbs: Analysis of a medieval Portuguese corpus E-mail this message to a friend Institution: Universidade Nova de Lisboa Program: Masters in Historical Linguistics Dissertation Status: Completed Degree Date: 2008 Author: Raquel Oliveira Dissertation Title: Temporality in infinitive completive clauses subcategorized by perception and causative verbs: Analysis of a medieval Portuguese corpus Linguistic Field(s): Semantics                             Syntax Subject Language(s): Portuguese (por) Dissertation Director: Dissertation Abstract: The main purpose of this dissertation was to study the temporal relations between infinitival completive clauses and the perception and causative verbs that select them. Our corpus was built from Medieval Portuguese texts from the XIIth to the XIVth century. Our analysis focused on both perception verbs, such as ver (see) and ouvir (hear), and causative verbs, such as fazer (make), mandar (order) and leixar (let). We started by defining the relevant concepts of Time, Aspect and Modality. Then, we presented a synthesis of the descriptions on the infinitive in both Contemporary and Medieval Portuguese literature, which considers this verbal form as neutral as far as temporal information is concerned. Next, we have put in evidence Cunha & Silvano's (2006) proposal arguing that this verb form has temporality marks attached. In chapter II we have described the methodology used to build the corpus, as well as the methods and the tools used in order to treat the data. We also showed the difficulties of this type of investigation. In chapter III we presented the analysis of the temporal location of non-finite clauses selected by perception and causative verbs. We accomplished this task studying the sentences in which this two types of verbs subcategorize infinitival clauses. For each of these groups we presented a conclusion about similarities and differences between the temporal value of each verb studied. In this study we investigated whether the semantic characteristics of the main verb have influence in the interpretation of the embedded infinitival clauses. With this approach we expected to find out if the temporal information related to the infinitival form is determined by the main clause. We also investigated if the aspectual type of the verb contained in the subordinated clause has an active role in the temporal interpretation of the infinitive. Beside these factors, we examined the influence of others, such as verbal tenses, durative and punctual activities, the presence of adverbial adjuncts and eventive or stative character of the verb contained in the complement clause. Finally, we conclude that the temporal interpretation of the infinite complement governed by perception and causative verbs is determined by a complex interaction of several factors that cannot be disconnected, in particular the semantic nature of the verbs, the modal value of the main clause and the nature of the main clause's external argument. Read more issues|LINGUIST home page|Top of issue Page Updated: 26-May-2010       About LINGUIST    |   Contact Us       While the LINGUIST List makes every effort to ensure the linguistic relevance of sites listed on its pages, it cannot vouch for their contents.