동사 상 분류와 종결성의 배제

Abstract

Traditionally, telicity and durativity have played a crucial role in the categorization of verb aspect. Instead of assuming Vendlerian classification of verb aspect, we opt to depart from the notion of durativity and postulate only three aspect types at the lexical level by merging Accomplishments and Achievements, as in Kenny (1963). This option turns out to be more desirable empirically and conceptually. Also, the notion of telicity is not appropriate for the classification of verb aspect in the respect that the value of [telic] simply cannot be decided at the lexical level for many verbs. In particular, there are plenty of Korean verbs which are ambiguous between Activities and Achievements/ Accomplishments. Seemingly contradictory statements such as ‘I persuaded him to join us, but after all I couldn't persuade him.’ are fully acceptable in Korean since seltukha-(to persuade) is ambiguous between an Activity and an Achievement (or an Accomplishment). The existence of such Korean verbs suggests that [telic] cannot be used as a feature for aspect categorization at the lexical level. Instead, the notion of telicity is needed for aspectual computation at the VP level or thereafter.