The construal of simultaneity in English with special reference to as-clauses

Abstract

This paper investigates how simultaneity between two events, a main clause event and a subordinate clause event, is coded in English. It focuses on as-clauses but also contrasts them with while-clauses. It argues that as-clauses evoke path events, i.e. events susceptible to change. It also points out that as-clauses define a family resemblance network in that different, though related, variants can be recognised. While-clauses are argued to generally evoke larger and more stable temporal configurations, e.g. properties. The different behaviour of as-clauses and while-clauses is related to the different lexical status of as vs. while. The former is analysed as a subordinator unspecified for temporality whereas the latter is regarded as a temporal subordinator by default. Finally, the use of progressive aspect is discussed. It is argued to function as a "slow motion" marker in as-clauses and/or to signal a contrast between the temporal expanses of the main and as-clauses. By contrast, it takes on a transience-highlighting function in while-clauses.

Same time, across time: simultaneity clauses from Late Modern to Present-Day English

“…Previous studies have identified these parameters as being particularly important in differentiating simultaneity constructions in PDE; see e.g. Broccias (2006a, 2006b and 2008) and Silva (1991). As my Sister and I were sitting one day in a Grotto at the End of a Parterre, we saw the Marquis de Stainville and another Gentleman coming towards us.…”

“…sigh , smile ); ‘mental’, which refers to cognitive processes; ‘be’, which includes not only the verb be but also stative verbs of posture (such as sit in (4)), and a handful of minor types. (We have refrained from offering a detailed breakdown of all the classes because, for example, the percentages for non-change verbs in as -clauses are relatively low; see also Broccias 2006a.) Punctuality is meant to specify whether the main clause or the temporal clause (or both) depicts events of relatively short or relatively long duration.…”

“…However, important differences between them have been observed (see e.g. Broccias 2006a, 2006b, 2008; Morris 1996; Övergaard 1987; Silva 1991). As -clauses, unlike when / while / whilst clauses, do not seem to combine with stative be (cf.…”

“…For this reason, he regards as -clauses as typically activating a ‘path-schema’: the as -clause event is construed as an event with a high potential for change. Silva (1991: 649), more generally, observes that ‘ [W]hen [is] the least specific as to the exact temporal relationship among events and the least constrained as to the nature of the predicates it can connect, and as [is] the most specific and constrained, leaving while to occupy the middle ground’; see also Broccias (2006a).…”

“…simple past, or past 187 progressive). Further, since previous synchronic studies including Broccias (2006a) 188 and Silva (1991) have shown that as-clauses more than while-clauses favour subject 189 the dot identifies the example as belonging to the fiction register; '3' identifies the period, i.e. 1700-49 (the first period, 1650-99, corresponds to '2', i.e.…”