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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 />

182

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