Re: How to see this grammatically?

From: Bart Mathias (bartmathias_at_verizon.net)
Date: 08/29/04 

Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2004 00:15:16 GMT

Kevin Wayne Williams wrote:
> Konrad Den Ende wrote:
>
>
>>I get it. Allthough i'd expect that to be
>>のどが渇いている (or is のどが渇いています better?)
>>since it's a happening that changes a state (or is it?).
>>Have i missed something?
>
>
> I don't know why you associate ている/ています with a state change.
> Typically, it indicates that verb relates to a continuing process that
> is occurring as you speak. のどが渇いている does seem to be used
> occasionally, but I read it more as "I am getting thirsty" (My throat is
> drying) as opposed to "I am thirsty" (My throat has dried).

You need to distinguish between change-of-state verbs and activity
verbs, and also change your association of ている/ています with
continuing process to duration.

渇いている means "changed from not-dry to dry and that state endures."

It's hard to say "I am getting thirsty" in Japanese, perhaps even harder
than "I am dying." Generally either you're thirsty/dead, or you're not,
with pretty much no in-between state.

The reason のどが渇いた is normal for "I'm thirsty" is pragmatic. Why
would anyone bother to say he got thirsty unless he still is (or is
telling a story)? One syllable shorter than のどが渇いている, and
accomplishes the same communicative goal. (Works with hunger, too.)

Bart

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