Fine-grained semantics and distribution of different future forms in Polish

What is it about?

In this paper we account for some novel contrasts in the distribution of futurate, simple and periphrastic future forms in Polish. We work out the formal semantics of these forms using a force-theoretic framework recently proposed by Copley (2012) and Copley & Harley (2011). More precisely, we explain how the semantics of these forms constrains their distribution depending on the availability of a plan in the context of use.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

We show that the use of a force-theoretic model in combination with basic pragmatic principles allows us to explain the preferences in the choice of different forms referring to future eventualities. The distribution of futurates and periphrastic and simple future forms in Polish is not determined by strict semantic constraints, but still it is not completely free. We can observe a systematicity in the use of these forms and this can be explained if one considers the interaction between the semantics of these forms and the pragmatic constraints, i.e., the question of which of the discussed forms satisfies the requirements of a given context in the best way.