Temporal phrases in the Shiji: adverbials indicating a point of time

In this paper, the syntax and the semantics of deictic temporal adverbials - complex temporal noun phrases and prepositional phrases with yi 以 - that locate a situation on the time axis are at issue. Although these adverbials differ syntactically, they can represent both independent (calendar adverbials) and dependent adverbials which are related to a previously established time. Within a framework based on Reichenbach's distinction of the temporal categories speech time, event (situation) time, and reference time and on a fourth category TA time which focuses on the time inherent in the temporal adverbial, it will be shown how these adverbials contribute to the temporal interpretation of a sentence.