translation studies. retrospective and prospective views
translation studies. retrospective and prospective views
translation studies. retrospective and prospective views
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However, since there is an obvious symmetry in the uses <strong>and</strong><br />
meanings of the different tenses as well, teachers may use this symmetry to<br />
their benefit. Once grammatical <strong>and</strong> semantic parallels between the English<br />
tenses are made explicit, students may create a new matrix <strong>and</strong> use it in<br />
order to explain the uses <strong>and</strong> meanings of any tense, the only variable in<br />
this situation remaining the time reference.<br />
The symmetry in the uses <strong>and</strong> meanings of the English tenses<br />
springs from the fact that each of the three aspects in English, i.e. the<br />
simple/indefinite, the continuous/ progressive <strong>and</strong> the perfect/perfective<br />
respectively, marks specific types of actions. For instance, the<br />
simple/indefinite aspect is used when making reference to repeated actions,<br />
to permanent situations or to state of affairs, the continuous/progressive<br />
aspect is favoured if special interest is shown in the development of the action<br />
or in its durative nature, whereas the perfect/ perfective aspect will<br />
combine with the other two, making reference to a past situation or event.<br />
Since the continuous <strong>and</strong> the perfective aspects have specific markers i.e. the<br />
auxiliary verbs to be <strong>and</strong> to have, respectively, this means that whenever<br />
these markers are present in the form of the verb, reference will be made to<br />
one of the types of actions expressed by means of the respective aspect.<br />
ASPECT<br />
TENSE<br />
PRESENT<br />
PAST<br />
FUTURE<br />
CONTINUOUS/ PERFECT/<br />
SIMPLE/ PROGRESSIVE PERFECTIVE<br />
INDEFINITE progress + duration reference to a past<br />
event/situation<br />
- aux. verb TO BE aux. verb TO HAVE<br />
repeated actions, actions in progress actions started in the<br />
permanent<br />
at present,<br />
past <strong>and</strong> continuing<br />
situations, state of temporary<br />
up to the present<br />
affairs in the situations in the<br />
present<br />
present, modality<br />
repeated actions, actions in progress actions started in the<br />
permanent<br />
in the past, past <strong>and</strong> continuing<br />
situations , state of temporary<br />
up to another past<br />
affairs in the past situations in the<br />
past, modality<br />
moment<br />
repeated actions, actions in progress actions which will be<br />
permanent<br />
in the future, completed before<br />
situations , state of temporary<br />
another future<br />
affairs in the future situations in the moment or future<br />
future, modality action<br />
Table 8. Aspectual markers in English<br />
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