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Section 1. Linguistics
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.20534/EJLL-17-1-3-7
Bagirova Nigar Khanlar, Azerbaijan University of Languages, (AUL) department of lexicology teacher, Azerbaijan E-mail: [email protected]
Tense problems in modern English
Abstract: In the globalized world English has become the most important means of international communication among the Peoples of the World. In any part ofthe world English is either actively learned or taught to day. In such a condition the study of English as a part oflinguistic science is more important. Tenses in English occupy a great volume of English grammar which have not been fully investigated up to now.
In the article the developing process of the category of future tense in the system of the English language, the expression of its characteristic features, are analyzed, the functional-semantic field (FSF), model of structure of the notion of future (futuralnosti) and its semantic characteristics are given, also communicative and pragmatic features of language elements composing the constituent parts of the mentioned field are analyzed.
The problem of future tense, functional-semantic characteristics of future tense in the system of language, structural, semantic-cognitive features of the constituent parts of notion of future (futuralnosti), Communicative features of futural situations are investigated on the materials of the Modern English Language.
In the process of the study of the problem we cope with view points of different scholars linked with the analyses of specific features of future tense in the English language and we base upon these views in the article.
Keywords: category of future tense, functional-semantic field, tense paradigm, future in the past tense form.
1. Introduction 2. Grammaticalization of Language means
Time characters expressed by means of language As to the view points of a number of scientists, for ex-
among the peoples of the world possess similar and dis- ample, as to G. Bybee, L. Pagliuja, grammaticalization of
tinctive features. Concepts on the tenses are not identical language means are not only the process of transforma-
among the different peoples of the world because each of tion embracing structural-semantic levels, but also it is a
the peoples keeps cultural and social features of cogni- result of deep cognitive process indicating proper chang-
tion of time. "From the appointment of social meaning, es in the understanding ofworld by human beings, linked
tense forms depend on the forms of life and activity of with paralinguistic events [3].
human being" [11]. In Indo-European languages grammatical category of
Modern Paradigm of investigations linked with lan- future tense form has been formulated a little later than pret-
guage, basing on the semantic core of the investigated lan- erit and presence categories. It is surmised that it is associ-
guage requires the analyses of language structures. Gram- ated with extralinguistic factors. Temporal understanding of
matical structure of any language for all the languages can the people ofthe ancient times cordially differentiated from
be classified as the system of means of expression of a cer- the people of the modern period of time. Future as the cat-
tain collection of categories of notions [2]. egory ofworld cognition was not completely formulated in
So, it is possible to say that grammatical means do not the people ofthe ancient times, and as a result ofit, it was not
only compose of the elements of paradigms of language needed for the formulation of grammatical deictic category
systems, but also these means include those structures, to belong the action to future.
which possess their belonging to the materialization of In the system of world outlook of Europeans the
categories of certain understandings in speech. adoption of Christianity and refusal from paganism
brought to a number of changes. Alongside the change of surrounding world outlook the model of time was subjected to the changes as well. "In the middle ages, during the transition from paganism to christianism, the reestablishment of the essence of time notions of all structures was observed" [6].
The notion of conscious of future (futuralnosti) of continued to be developed along with the development of manufacture and urbanization. Already a human being does not link his/her activity with the natural period of time and keeps away from the nature. The more a human being concentrates consciousness, namely the more he/she becomes mentally richer, the more attention is paid to the development of the mankind, the model of time becomes more historical, the general imagination of future is more clearly, distinctly gained, the more typological characteristics of future manifests itself in the human conscious. A human being begins to understand that he/she can control his/her fate and as a result of this he/she expresses still more free notion of future.
The categorization of future passes through several stages in the human thought. In the final stage the category of the future tense passes through the process of grammaticalization.
In the period of Early Middle Ages, in the XII-XIII centuries started such a process which M. M. Gukhman called it as the "paradigmatization of futurum". Such a thought existed that the existence of "futural presence" or "modal futurum" is the characterization of complete paradigmatization of the very form [8].
Only towards the XIII century in the English language modal constructions with "wilan" and "sculan" in comparison with other constructions oftener began to be used for the expression of future events, with which they began to enter the paradigm of the verb.
The future paradigm of verbs in the English language gradually was improved with new forms, truly to say, it is enriched with old forms which already existed in the language, but which already possessed new semantic-functional duties.
In the Modern English the construction "to be going to" is used. This construction was subjected to the process of grammaticalization in the XV century. Gradually along with its initial lexic meaning it began to be used in the planned, newly-accepted meaning of future tense [4].
In Modern time the category of future in English is not only used with the auxiliary verb "will", and the construction "to be going to", but it can also be used with the help of other modal verbs and constructions which
are the implicit and explicit means of expression of one and the same event.
A number of linguists by means of the systems of functional-semantic fields accept the methodological lawfulness of learning linguistic and extralinguistic phenomena.
As to the determination of A. A. Bondarenko, "functional-semantic filed (FSF) is the grouping of grammatical and "common" lexic units basing on "certain semantic category and also on different combined grouping of lexic-semantic and other means, influencing one-another on the basis of similarity of semantic functions of the very language" [10].
Within the frame of functional approach a number of scientists, for example A. V. Bondarenko, Y. S. Maslov, Q. A. Zolotova, M. V. Vsevolodova, Y. I. Sen-dels, T. V. Bulingina, M. Y. Golovchinskaya, Y. V. Guliga, M. A. Shelyanina, T. A. Suckomilina and others investigate functional-semantic features of semantic category of Tense. On this ground they formulate grammatical category of tense in the language system.
Among the entire tense categories future tense category is the most subjective one. In most cases it is associated with the positions, dreams, intentions and claims of the speaker and that's why category of notion of future (futuralnosti) by means of transformation of modal verbs and constructions, expressing wish and desire is subjected to the process of grammaticalization. This process does not only take place in the English language, but also in many cases it is observed in other Indo-European languages.
G. Bybee has carried out analyses of future tense forms of about 300 hundred modern languages and consequently has compiled the list of grammatical and lexical means, establishing the basis of futural forms. He referred action verbs and means of expression of obligation, wish and possibility and adverbial modifier of time to this list [3].
For the expression of future tense which is used in the Modern English Language, possibility to accept the analytic forms of the auxiliary verb "will" which establishes the tense paradigm of English verb remains unsettled up to now. Particularly, B. Comrie, referred the future tense to the grammatical category of the tense of verbs in English, beyond the borders of the limits of the paradigm of verb, classifies it as something formulated on the basis of privative oppositions of past and past indefinite tenses [5].
The grammatical form of the future tense formed by means of auxiliary verb "will" has appeared relatively late
and that's why to-day, by the substitution of the functions, notion of future and modality today, keep certain semantic polysemanticism.
Basing on these facts, we may come to the conclusion that the grammatical form of future tense is still passing the process of grammaticalization and in the system of the English language the existence of different thoughts on its status causes debates.
3. Category of future tense in the level of Language semantics
Category of future tense in the level of language semantics, being determined as deictic vector category is expressed as futural semantic category, describing the attitude of the classified phenomenon to the time after the moment of speech. Adequately, on the basis of this semantic category the functional semantic field (FSF) of future is formed, but the structural elements demand further analysis.
In the Modern English verbs possess still more developed word-changing and form-making system of means than the other parts of speech. Grammatical criteria which found their manifestations in the system of word-changing and form-making features are the categories of tense, person, quantity (number), voice, mood and aspect. In the English language exist four tense groups of the indicative mood of verbs which are distinguished both as to the view of formation and use:
I group: Simple Tenses;
II group: Continuous Tenses;
III group: Perfect Tenses;
IV group: Perfect Continuous Tenses [1].
Grammatical tense of the verb is such a grammatical
category, by the forms of which, at a certain degree the process which is expressed by the form of this verb and the period of time taking place between the moments of speech, the time attitude is determined. The starting point is the very moment of speech by the grammatical determination of the time, namely it is a certain instant of objective time. This instant is very often is determined with the words as "the instant of the present time, now, this instant, this moment, this minute, this hour" and these words from the view of the situation of the very speech, are accepted as such and such are understood.
4. Classification of Tenses
In the English language any form of the verb is either in non-perfect or perfect form. For ex.: "I wrote — I had written" This belongs to indicative form and also to the non-predicative forms as well. During the comparison of non-perfect and perfect forms tense forms its grammatical category.
Non-perfect forms rule over the action and the situation by themselves. In an unconscious approach to the initial instant or the instant coming after, non-perfect form (beyond the context) does not express any attitude to the action.
A. T. Simirnitski considers that such a grammatical tense category expresses the attitude of the action to the instant of speech. Time category as a form of existence of material world is the determinant of time.
Adequately, exist present, past and future forms of the verbs and the instant of speech, in this case for the tense forms is the point of connection of time.
In the Modern English within the composition of tense, mainly the forms of present and past exist, that's why these tense forms are synthetical (let's compare: wants "istayir", sees "gorur" — wanted "istayib", saw "gorub") Thus, from the historical viewpoint tense category substantiates confrontation of these tense forms.
Categorical form of the future tense is always analytical, but in some verbs it does not exist generally, for ex: "can, may" etc. Speaking about future it is necessary to note that there is a real difference between the future tense on one side and between the present and past on the other. The difference lies in the fact that the future tense in many cases as something unrealized is linked with modality. This differentiation goes deeper also for the reason, that for the creation of the future tense verbs of modal character are expressed, for ex.: "shall, will". For this reason for the expression of objective future modal meanings may be observed.
Otto Yespersen's view-point in this matter is that future tense forms in the Modern English always have modal meanings that are why no objective future exists. For this reason the scientist offers the system of tenses of the verbs, consisting of present and past tenses.
As to A. T. Simirnitski Otto Yespersen's this offer does not meet the real state of the things. For example: in the sentence "It will rain" there is no modal colouring of the meaning. In many cases in English future tense forms express objective tense and are not linked with modal meanings.
It should be particularly stressed that in the Modern English the plurality of the number of the tense forms are often mentioned. A. T. Smirnitski considers that their plurality derives from the differentiation of present-past and future. This is complicated, on one hand, by the differentiation between common and continuous tenses, and on the other hand between the perfect and non-perfect tenses. So, the tense forms as "present common non-perfect tense, for ex "rains", "present continuous perfect",
for example "has been raining" are created and we cope with three grammatical categories and uniting with one another in certain grammatical forms.
The Future in the past tense form may claim for a special place among the tense forms, namely, in reality instead of the fourth tense form, for example: "Would rain, would see", etc. As other forms, this form too may change, for example: "would rain, would be raining, and would have rained" etc. In each case, the future in the past tense form by the appearance is absolutely same with the modal verbs "should/would" which in its turn are accepted as conditional mood. For example: "I thought it would rain" — "Man du§unurdum ki, yagi§ yagacaq" — which is expressed by the future in the past tense form. And "I think it would rain, if it were not so windy" — "Man du§unurdum ki, agar bela guclu kulak olmasaydi, yagi§ yaga bilardi" is Conditional Mood.
The future in the past tense form is used only in Indirect Speech. Without taking the peculiarities of such speeches into consideration, in the general system of the English Language it is impossible to determine the place of the "future tense". So, in the morphological system of the English language the "future in the past tense" form is not determined as a special "tense", though it has a cheating resemblance with other tense forms.
V. N. Djigaldo, L. L. Iofik, T. P. Ivanova name this tense form as a "dependent future" [9]. As to them, dependent future tense indicates the action to take place after the instant which is a temporal centre. We must say that temporal centre of past tense form is a certain period of time in the past. The main field of its usage is in the complex sentences. For ex: "He was sure that he would refuse the cigarette". Such a form in the morphological system of English verb is analyzed as a special form.
Let's consider A. T. Smirnitski's thought. Analyzing real attitudes containing the bases of three grammatical forms, it is necessary to pay attention to the following problem: past and future tenses stretching in different directions without a border are different fields. Present tense is a border between these fields. Being the instant ofspeech in the present tense this border is directly dependent and has crossed with current oftime in this or that place. That's why as to the instant of time it is neither past nor the present.
On one hand, present tense is determined as the in-
stant of speech in the present tense, bed on the other hand not any speech can specially note a certain instant, because, unwillingly it becomes continuous in the time.
As to the view point of the scholars the number of tense forms has always been one of the disputable problems.
H. Sweet differentiates compound tenses. He belongs "Present Indefinite", "Past Indefinite", "Future Indefinite to the simple tense forms; but he belongs "Present Perfect", "Past Perfect" and Future Perfect to the compound tense forms. So, basing on the determination of Henry Sweet we distinguish six tense forms.
N. F. Irtenyeva divides the tense system of the English verbs into 2 places:
1) belonging to the present tense: "the Present, Present Perfect, Future, Present Continuous, Present Perfect Continuous Tenses".
2) belonging to the Past: the Past, Past Perfect, Future in the Past, Past Continuous, Present Perfect Continuous Tenses [7].
5. Conclusion
Having considered the problem, we may come to the conclusion that in the grammatical structure of the English language verb and verb forms occupy a special place as to the great role which they play in the construction of English sentences.
As an instant of limitation of past from the future by means of speech, present tense forms should be specially marked for it plays an important role in distinguishing instances by means of an event embracing a certain period of time. In a certain degree "Present Tense" as a "durable time" includes the instance of the very speech. The notion of "Present Tense" form establishes the basis of the meaning of the categorical form of (Present). Gradually extending the borders of grammatical tense of Present May be lost in view, generally it may disappear, the meaning of the present tense may transfer to an indefinite continuous tense or can go beyond the tense forms and may indicate no time. For ex: "He is a friend of mine" Or "Twice five makes ten".
Taking the differentiations in the views of above-mentioned scientists into-consideration, we may come to the conclusion that in the Modern English Language tense problem has not found its unanimous solution.
References:
1. Almammadova S. M. System of Tenses in the English Language. Baku, - 2013, - 111 p.
2. Ananyev B. Y. Cognition of space and time, L., Science, - 1969, - 312 p.
3. Bybee J., Perkins R., Pagliuca W. The Evolution of Grammar. Tense, Aspect, and Modality in the Languages of the World. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, - 1994, - 398 p.
Language personality in the aspect of manifestation of history of culture
4. Borkhes Kh. L. Circling Time. Collection in - 3 volumes. - M. Polyares, - T. 1, - 1997, - P. 206-210.
5. Comrie B. Tense. Cambridge University Press, - 2006, - 139 p.
6. Grunbaum A. Philosophical problems of space and time. M. Progress, - 1969, - 590 p.
7. Ionina A. A. English grammar of the XXI century, universal effective course. - M., Ekspo, - 2012, - 416 p.
8. Irtenyeva A. F. Grammar of the Modern English. Theoretical course, - M., - 1956, - 191 p.
9. Jespersen O. Philosophy of Grammar. Publish h foreign literature, - M., - 1958, - 404 p.
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.20534/EJLL-17-1-7-12
Bagirova Gunay Fakhraddin, Azerbaijan University of Languages (AUL) E-mail: [email protected]
Language personality in the aspect of manifestation of history of culture
Abstract: The article has been devoted to the analysis of the phenomenon of language personality. It is noted that the understanding of expression ofhuman personality in the language, directly existed in science and it was also noted in the ancient times as well. Theory of language personality has been created in the works of such scientists as VVVinogradov and U.N.Karaulov. In the article the problem of appearance of language personality of the writer is considered. As an investigated language material F.S.Fitzgerald's book "Diamond in the size of the Hotel Rits" is taken Hermenevtic analysis is carried out, as a result of which depth of psychological and historical-cultural character of the narrator is determined.
Keywords: language, personality, culture, society, text, interpretation, background information.
1. Introduction the similar phrase on the notion which can be called that
Modern linguistics creates its own terminological language is nothing more than the house of being. In the system, its own metalanguage and accordingly its sci- fundamental works of M. Haydegger called "being and
entific apparatus. It is not only a mere designation of old impression on the linguistic culturally marked words, but it is also a new conception. "Language personality" introduces one of the most actual conceptions of modern linguistics. It is clear, that this notion is not taken as an independent understanding, in the isolation of its self-belonging semantic field, created by anthroseptic paradigm. Each of fundamental notion of modern linguistics often is understood as absolute conception. In this appears the value of the very concept, so the cultural words standing behind it. The term language personality can be well enough considered as tautology. Human personality exhibits itself in the language as well as the people leave memories about themselves in the written languages. In the history of culture two periods — written period and the period before writing appeared are distinguished. Written language is oriented for the preservation of the speech in the language. In this respect, we think it should be worth mentioning the thoughts of M. Haydegger. As a rule linguists, reminding the German philosopher, repeat
time" we come across more essential consideration on the language. Haydegger writes: A person seems to be an existence, which speaks" [4, P. 165].
2. Ancient Greek Impact on language personality
M. Haydegger bases upon the ancient Greek impression on the human being and points out that the naming of the person as a clever animal is a later factor, because for the Greek a person was before everything a speaking animal. He writes: "Is it an occasional event that the Greeks in their daily existence exhibited themselves advantageously in speaking to one another and at the same time possessed eyes to see one another which in both philosophical conception and the conception before philosophy were equally explained as presence of a person determined the existence of a person as Z^ou Xoyou e^ou. The latest interpretation of this definition of a person in the meaning of animal rationale "Witty living existence", telling the truth is not "a lie, but it conceals a phenomenal ground, from which this existing definition has been formulated" [4, P. 165].
