Studies In Language, Volume 15, Issue 1 (1991). pp. 25-58.
Language:
English
Abstract:
Aspects are defined as "different ways of viewing the temporal constituency of a situation," & are not deictic, as is tense. Previous examinations of Hmong are briefly described & it is noted that most have confused tense with aspect in this language. In order to fully understand & evaluate Hmong tense/aspect it is necessary to collect data in a discourse context. It is argued that the marker tau does not, as claimed in previous studies, indicate past tense. Rather, it functions as an aspect marker indicating attainment of an event. It may also function as a transitive verb meaning 'to obtain, get, reach'. A historical link between the two is postulated on the basis of their semantic relation. It is suggested that tau is an areal feature tracing back at least to the Proto-Hmong-Mien stage. 26 References. B. Annesser Murray