The inference of temporal persistence and the individual/stage level distinction
the case of ser vs. estar in Spanish
In this paper we propose that the differences between ser ‘beSER’ and estar
‘beESTAR’ predications traditionally associated with the individual-level/stagelevel
(IL/SL) distinction (having to do with their differing combinations with
adverbs quantifying over situations, locative and temporal modifiers, etc.) can
be explained without arguing that ser ‘beSER’ and estar ‘beESTAR’ sentences have
different event/aspect/Aktionsart-related properties. Specifically, we claim that
in copular sentences with adjectival complements, the different kinds of elements
that build up the comparison class needed to evaluate adjectival properties
can account for the IL/SL character of the predication and that, specifically,
the IL/SL distinction is linked to the relative/absolute distinction. This proposal,
together with the hypothesis that relative adjectives trigger by default an inference
of temporal persistence, can account for all the aforementioned differences
between ser ‘beSER’ and estar ‘beESTAR’ sentences. We thus argue for an extension
of the explanatory value of the individual/stage-level distinction to the domain
of gradability.
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