An Analysis of Semantic Characteristics of English and French Tense Forms in the Space of the Future

This article offers a thorough analysis of basic temporal categories used in language. The aim is to compare interlingually ways of expressing future in French and English. The originality is determined by meta-analysis of various approaches to representation of time in language and cognition. The concept of future is defined through the synthesis of three main philosophical paradigms. On their basis, the approximate patterns, with the help of which text refers to reality, are formulated; and the central characteristics of the patterns are defined. Their connection to the temporal verb systems of English and French stands as the subject of study. The classification of referential methods using MacTaggart's thesis is made. It is based on minimal context of verb forms. Authorial semantic formulas have been used in order to show the relation between text, context, and language. Each category of verb systems is studied in regard to its functional potential of the prospective temporal reference. It highlights the designated characteristics via the mentioned formulas while comparing them with the other language. Comparative analysis allows identifying and emphasizing the nuances of the concept of time, resulting in a more complete understanding of language as a sign system. Due to the strong differences in grammatical structures of languages, each characteristic becomes more distinctive. For example, grammatical ways of expressing termination in French are absent; it compensates for this with the help of lexical and syntactic means, which leads to a different way of describing reality, compared to English. Differences in the temporal systems make the clear division between retrospectivity and termination possible. General tendencies are marked: periphrastic constructions with verbs of movement, simultaneous polysituationality, inclusive forms of present tenses, ways of expressing relativity of several events, etc. The connection between verb forms and the Jespersen timeline is represented graphically, showing the differences more clearly. These comparisons allow one to look at the future from a different angle and reveal the relations between language and time.

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