Thai "jùu" and "kamlaŋ": where tense and aspect meet

Abstract

This paper discusses the similarities and differences between "kamlaŋ" and "jùu" based on their own internal logic. It shows that "kamlaŋ" does not simply express the ongoing progression of an event, but also indicates a temporal relation between time of situation (T-SIT) and topic time (TT) (Klein 1994). Based on Klein’s theory of tense and aspect, "kamlaŋ" serves as a temporal relator indicating that T-SIT coincides with TT. The fact that Thai is not a tensed language does not mean that the concept of reference point should be neglected. Reference time (or topic time) is the key to temporal interpretation even in a ‘tenseless’ language like Thai. The so-called continuous marker "jùu3/4" is treated as a locator locating an event in various domains such as time, attribute, quantity, and possession. Continuity is the output of our experience of remaining in the same place through time. It is a secondary function, which can be backgrounded. Like "kamlaŋ", "jùu4" serves as a temporal relator, where T-SIT is situated at TT.