Chapter 7. Verbs of motion under negation in Modern Russian

This article examines the behavior of Russian motion verbs under negation. Negated motion constructions differ from affirmative motion constructions in two respects: (1) frequency of high manner verbs, as well as verbs that specify path through prefixation; (2) aspect marking. Using detailed statistical frequencies gathered from the web as well as analysis of specific constructions, I show that negated motion events are significantly less detailed in terms of the specification of manner and certain types of path. In addition, the common assumption that imperfective is predominant under negation is not supported by the data. Aspectual choice for motion verbs depends on spatial relations between the moving figure and an observer of motion at goal or origin of the motion trajectory.

Published online: 6 May 2010
https://doi.org/10.1075/slcs.115.11per