Re: Aspect vs. case; stative and dynamic verbs

--- In conlang@yahoogroups.com, scott <sjcaldwell@M...> wrote:
>I'm working on the grammar of my conlang. Which I am now referring to
>as wikilret (literally true speak).
>I realize now how little about grammar I really know.
>Until I get my hands on some books, I'm relying on the collective
>knowledge of the list.  :-)
>So I have two questions.
>1) What is the difference between aspect and case?
2) Can someone explain stative and dynamic verbs?

>Thanks in advance.
>Hopefully I'll soon have a website up.
>later,
>scott

"Aspect" is part of the grammatical description of a verb that refers
primarily to the way the verb is marked for duration or type of
temporal activity.  A major aspectual contrast is that between
perfective and imperfective, i.e., between referring to an action
that has been completed and an action the completion of which is not
specified.  Some analyse English progressive and non-progressive (I
was eating/I have been eating) as aspects.  Other aspects might be
habitual (I used to eat), iterative (I often eat), and inchoative or
inceptive (I began to eat).  Each language has different ways of
marking aspect.

"Tense" refers to the way the verb is marked for the time at which
the action takes place.  Standard tenses are past, present and
future, but there are many variations.  In some languages the verb
form is changed (eat, ate); in others auxiliary words are used (eat,
will eat).

"Stative" and "dynamic" are aspects of verbs.  Stative verbs
typically express states of affairs, while dynamic verbs express
actions.  Stative verbs USUALLY do not occur in the progressive, I am
knowing, he is concerning.  This distinction becomes complicated
because some verbs can be express both stative and dynamic aspects.

Charlie