Zur Beziehung von progressiven Verbalperiphrasen und states. Ein erster Bericht aus Studien zu romanischen Sprachen

Abstract

Abstract This paper deals with properties and restrictions of progressive markers (Romance progressive verbal periphrases, PVP) and relates these to the question of the degree of grammaticality these constructions have reached in the respective languages. In analysing the process of grammaticalisation of PVP, a distinction is drawn on two levels: on the level of internal structure and the level of system. After introducing progressivity as a subcategory of imperfectivity, and progressive markers as the means of expressing it (§ 2), the (in)compatibility of Romance PVP with states is examined in more detail (§ 3). This investigation is based on French, Italian, (European and Brazilian) Portuguese and Spanish data elicited in several broad-based acceptability studies conducted as part of the SFB 833 project “Verbal and Nominal Aspectuality between Lexicon and Grammar” (2017–2020). As opposed to common interpretations, different states and state-types are shown to be compatible with progressive verbal periphrases to varying degrees. Romance languages differ in their levels of acceptability of states in PVP – and the degree of compatibility correlates with the degree to which the construction is integrated in their respective language systems. The concluding remarks (§ 4) summarise the theoretical implications of the data analysis, which can be seen as an empirical verification of existing theses concerning the degree of grammaticalisation of Romance PVP.