The parameter of temporal endpoint and the basic function of -le

Abstract

This paper proposes a unified account for the different meanings and unique distribution of –le. This new account is based on two major arguments: (1) temporal endpoints are provided via a parameter that varies across languages (i.e., some languages rely heavily on tense, while others rely on lexical expressions or other mechanisms), and (2) accomplishment and achievement verbs should be re-sorted in accordance with the new leading to result ([>result]) and encoding result ([⊃result]) criterion. I have shown that the interaction between the parametric variation in providing endpoints and the meanings of different types of situations, not only accounts for the restricted occurrence of -le with [-telic] situations, but also explains a) the possibility of non-completion readings for some [>result] situations in Chinese, b) the impossibility of non-completion readings for [⊃result] situations in both Chinese and English, and c) the possible present continuative readings for certain types of verbs in Chinese.