Dimensiones conceptuales del presente perfecto del espanol

This thesis revisits the present perfect verbal form as used in conversational Spanish. We recognize that different standards that apply to the Spanish of Spain as opposed to that of Latin America. However, this thesis investigates whether there could be a common element that encompasses all dialects. We believe that in order to interpret the Present Perfect usage adequately, we need to take into consideration not only the verbal categories of tense and aspect, but also cognitive factors, such the perception of speaker which can vary according on the linguistic community. To accomplish this goal, we analyze the scripts of seven movies using different Spanish dialects in which we review the Present Perfect uses based in four parameters: temporality, aspectuality, discourse and pragmatic implications. We conclude that the Present Perfect tense has a non-specific value with regard to time in all dialects. It is this lack of specificity that permits different contextual interpretations.