From perfectivity to performativity in conditionals

Abstract

This paper documents a novel pattern in the expression of conditional statements about future in Farsi. When both p and ¬p are equally plausible future events, the antecedent of conditional statements about future can either be marked with imperfective or perfective. Conditionals whose antecedent is marked with 'perfective' necessarily give rise to 'performative' interpretations in the consequent. I propose an analysis that derives the differences between the two conditionals from their sole linguistics difference, i.e. the semantics of aspectual heads, and general principles of pragmatic reasoning.