On the “theory of functional-semantic fields” in the light of the “theory of indicative and relative” and the “theory of referentiality/non-referentiality”

The work offers various methods of examining the meanings and uses of verb tense forms in Slavic languages, along with a critical review. The majority of the paper is devoted to Acad. Alexander V. Bondarko?s ?theory (model) of functionalsemantic fields?, which is the functional investigation of aspectual-temporal relations. The author points out the indirect connection between this concept and the wellknown ?theory of indicative and relative? by Acad. Aleksandar Belic and the ?theory of referentiality / non-referentiality? by Acad. Milka Ivic. The functional-semantic field of temporality model permits the use of grammaticalized verb forms as a centre (including grammaticalized aspectual-temporal forms used in the absolute indicative and their correlational relationships), as well as means with incomplete ?temporal? grammaticalization and grammaticalized transposed grammatical forms (relative indicative) as an immediate periphery of the given field. In addition to these means, certain ?non-temporal? (grammaticalized) verb forms (remote periphery) play a significant role in structuring the functional-semantic field of temporality. These verb forms have a modal function as their base function, and because of their ?temporal orientation? (particularly prospective) and non-realization action qualities, they have correlational relationships with aspectual-temporal grammaticalized and non-grammaticalized forms, as well as other language means, irrespective of their level of grammaticalization. Particular emphasis is placed in the work on the necessity of approaching Slavic tenses differently than those in the Western European languages, which are distinguished by their sequence of tenses (Lat. consecutio temporum, Fr. concordance des temps). The main reason for this is the existence of aspectual opposition, which is conditioned by the lexically and grammatically expressed categories of perfectivity and imperfectivity of verbal action. This phenomenon, known as the non-concordance of tenses, is a characteristic feature of the Slavic languages. The author highlights that the ability of verbal aspect to influence the choice (demarcation) of usage of verb forms in Slavic languages, as well as the lexical and syntactic valency of words, is to determine whether those forms have temporal or modal meaning.