Time in natural language

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This work explores the interplay between syntactic and semantic representations of tense in natural language. It posits that tenses consist of three distinct times, each linked to a unique syntactic head, allowing for detailed analyses of temporal dependency in syntactic structures. By employing a Minimalist framework, the author demonstrates how temporal adverbials can modify different aspects of a clause's tense structure based on their adjunction sites. For instance, an adverbial modifying the Event time is shown to attach to the VP, while one modifying the Reference time is linked to AspP. The treatment of temporal adjunct clauses follows a similar logic, with their placement determining whether they are interpreted as simultaneous or nonsimultaneous with the main event. Additionally, the analysis addresses the temporal syntax of arguments, suggesting that subjects with gerundive relative clauses are interpreted in different syntactic positions based on their temporal dependence. The author extends this syntactic exploration to the discourse level, proposing that the discourse representation of tense shares the same foundational principles as its syntactic counterpart, particularly through a detailed study of the temporal discourse adverb "then." This comprehensive investigation enhances our understanding of the complex relationship between syntax, semantics, and discourse in the realm of tense.