Aspect, Aspect Hypothesis, Prototype Theory

The nature of tense and aspect has been continuosly
investigated by researchers from many different
fields, e.g. cognitive psychology, sociology and
linguistics. No clear consensus has been reached
even in regard to the very definition of the two
concepts. It has been suggested that instead of
treating them as separate, it could be more fruitful
to discuss them in terms of a tempo-aspectual
continuum. Cross-linguistic variation and the
problem of acquisition of tense and aspect pose
another problem, the investigation of which has
resulted in some insights but no finite explanation.
In my work, I looked into the problem of tense and
aspect and their acquisition and tried to explain
the process by employing the Protoype Theory as
causal explanation.I reported the results of a small
pilot study I conducted to conclude finally that
both Aspect Hypothesis and Prototype Theory explain
the process of Present Perfect acquisition to some
extent, however, that other factors, notably
telicity, may also have a great impact upon
acquiring tense and aspect by learners of English as
Foreign Language.

Autorentext

Native of Poland, graduate of the University of Reading, UK andthe University of Lodz, Poland. ESL teacher, translator andinterpreter.

Klappentext

The nature of tense and aspect has been continuosly investigated by researchers from many different fields, e.g. cognitive psychology, sociology and linguistics. No clear consensus has been reached even in regard to the very definition of the two concepts. It has been suggested that instead of treating them as separate, it could be more fruitful to discuss them in terms of a tempo-aspectual continuum. Cross-linguistic variation and the problem of acquisition of tense and aspect pose another problem, the investigation of which has resulted in some insights but no finite explanation.In my work, I looked into the problem of tense and aspect and their acquisition and tried to explain the process by employing the Protoype Theory as causal explanation.I reported the results of a small pilot study I conducted to conclude finally that both Aspect Hypothesis and Prototype Theory explain the process of Present Perfect acquisition to some extent, however, that other factors, notably telicity, may also have a great impact upon acquiring tense and aspect by learners of English as Foreign Language.