The present tense in narrative discourse : modes and thematic functions

Abstract EN

The present study focuses on the use of the present tense in narrative discourse, it's varieties, and functions.

The study surveys the occurrence of the present tense along the different discourse types in order to compare and consequently draw distinctions.

It is observed that there are at least four varieties of the present tense constructions used without narrative text performing a number of functions.

It is used as the standard narrative tense in case of historic present where the whole or a large portion of the narrative is conducted in the present, which is here timeless in reference.

It also sets clearly descriptions of place characters props and the surrounding.

Setting, which is one manifestation of expository discourse, at times deviates from the narrative tense, i.e.

past and adopts the more neutral tense of the present.

Evaluations and author's comments appear in narrative discourse, sometimes in the from of genomic present for which narrative have special preference.

Finely, the present tense is one of the obvious distinctions of interior monologues where the inner thoughts contemplation and speculation of a character are portrayed.

The present tense is trailed in about 14 lengthy narrative texts.

i.e novels in order to investigate all possibilities of occurrence and arrive at some general statements pertinent to its narrative function.