Discourse and Text

This article discusses tense and aspect in the context of attested forms of discourse and text. The emphasis is on the semantic, pragmatic, textual, and stylistic functions of tense in context, taking into account linguistic features in the surrounding discourse, as well as the importance of factors such as medium (spoken or written), register (degree of formality), text type (literary vs. journalistic vs. conversational etc.), and discourse mode (narrative vs. report vs. description, etc.). Thus, tense and aspect are analyzed not purely as part of a linguistic “system” as such, but in the context of particular texts or forms of discourse. The article also explores the concept of “markedness” through two case studies: the narrative present and the narrative imperfect. Finally, it assesses the roles played by tenses in conveying particular points of view in texts, including shifts and/or ambiguities in point of view; Segmented Discourse Representation Theory; internal focalization and the French imperfective past tense; and textual polyphony.

The Influence of Aspect on the Biological Colonization of Stone in Northern Ireland.

The rate and type of biological colonization of stone is influenced by a wide array of environmental factors in addition to substrate characteristics. A series of experiments was designed to compare the rate and type of biological colonization of stone at varying locations over a 21-month time period. Exposure
trials were set up at nine different sites across Northern Ireland that covered a wide variety of environmental conditions. To determine aspect-related differences in colonization, blocks of Peakmoor sandstone and Portland limestone were placed on the north- and south-facing sides of purpose-designed exposure racks. Colorimetry and visual analysis were carried out on collected samples at increasing time intervals. Results showed significantly different rates of darkening and greening over time between north-facing and south-facing blocks, for both sandstone and limestone. This difference is likely to be representative of the fact that in Northern Ireland’s wet climate and northern-latitude position, the north face of a building will receive less direct sunlight. Therefore north-facing blocks, once wet, will remain damp for much longer than blocks on other façades. This slow-drying phenomenon is much more hospitable for biological colonization and continued growth than the hostile environment of rapid wetting and drying cycles experienced on the south face.