A competição entre Simple Past e Present Perfect no inglês estadunidense: um estudo de caso sobre o perfect de resultado

Abstract

This paper has as its aim to investigate the competition between Present Perfect and Simple Past in the expression of the resultative perfect aspect. We test the hypothesis that, in AmE, transition contexts with a presently relevant resultant state (compatible with strong resultatives) are, preferably, linguistically represented by the Simple Past. To do so, a triple case study is adopted as the methodology, based on an experiment of semi spontaneous production that elicits strong resultatives. The data indicates a morphological variation in the description of strong resultative situations, with preference for the use of Simple Past, therefore, the hypothesis was not refuted. Simple Past assumes the default form, for its use prevails even when the context indicates a continuation and relevance of the result in the present. However, the use of Present Perfect seemed to be favored in situations of which the result state points to a demand for imminent action by the interlocutor, specifically, when there is not another linguistic marking of causality.