The aspectual operator 'se' in Chilean Spanish: semantic and morphosyntactic contexts of use

Abstract

http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1984-8412.2017v14n2p2076

This work is part of the theoretical paradigm of generative linguistics, since it assumes that the telicity aspectual feature is represented in the faculty of language, and it aims to investigate semantic and morphosyntactic contexts whichmay encourage the use of the aspectual operator se in the expression of this feature in Chilean Spanish (CS). The tested hypotheses are that, in CS, this operator (i) exclusively appears combined to consumption verbs and (ii) does not appear combined to "to be" (Simple Present) + gerund. We applied a semi-spontaneous production test and a commented grammaticality judgement test to five native speakers. Results showed that this operator seems (i)very productive with consumption verbs, although it is also associated with other types of verb, (ii) more productive with perfective aspect verbs and (iii)mandatory with causative/inchoative alternation unaccusative verbs, when used in their inchoative part.The hypotheses were refuted.