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In:Formal Studies in Slovenian Syntax: In honor of Janez Orešnik
Edited by Franc Lanko Marušič and Rok Žaucer
[Linguistik Aktuell/Linguistics Today 236] 2016
► pp. 253–282

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The Slovenian future auxiliary biti as a tenseless gradable evidential modal

Inferential and concessive readings

 | University of Ottawa
 | University of Ljubljana
Published online: 8 December 2016
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/la.236.11riv
Adopting a general perspective inspired by formal semantics -most prominently Kratzer’s ideas on modals-, this paper argues that the Slovenian future auxiliary biti may function as an epistemic modal with evidential characteristics. In its epistemic capacity, biti is a Zero-tense/tenseless modal anchored to Speech Time. In other words, it signals a deduction/concession made at Speech Time, or displays a so-called present ‘Temporal Perspective’. Biti does not define the time or ‘Temporal Orientation’ of the depicted event, which is defined by Viewpoint Aspect. Biti may depict present, past, future, or habitual events when it combines with Imperfective (IMPF) Viewpoint Aspect. When combined with Perfective (PERF) Viewpoint Aspect, biti necessarily depicts future events/ acquires a future ‘Temporal Orientation’. Biti is a gradable modal connected to either a scale of believability or a scale of desirability, both anchored in the speaker.
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Rivero, María Luisa
2023. Epistemic futures and aspect. In Verb and Context [IVITRA Research in Linguistics and Literature, 34], ► pp. 231 ff. DOI logo
Rivero, María Luisa & Ana Arregui
2018. Unconditional readings and the simple conditional tense in Spanish: inferentials, future-oriented intentionals, future-in-the-past. Probus 30:2 ► pp. 305 ff. DOI logo

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