
Full text loading...
This study examines the relationship between grammaticised aspect (GA) and the information structure of events in discourse. The aim is to test the hypothesis about the influence of grammaticised aspect on event conceptualization processes. The data studied consist of narratives by speakers of Swedish (−GA) and speakers of Spanish (+GA). The segmentation, selection and perspectivation of events carried out by these groups were studied through audiovisual tests. Analyses of the narratives reveal cross-linguistic differences as to information structure: the speakers of Swedish prefer holistic event presentations and verbalize a high number of closed events, whereas the speakers of Spanish show a greater sensitivity towards the phasal structure of the events, manifested in a finer eventive resolution focusing on progressive aspect.