The paper offers an analysis which aims at explaining the role that the choice of particular verbs, their grammatical tense and their aspectual form plays in the construal of an episode in narrative prose. Two sample passages from Ursula Hegi's novel Floating in my Mothers Palm will be analysed, focusing upon the textual function of the opposition between "perfectivity" and "imperfectivity" as revealed in the use of English verbs. The theoretical framework for the discussion is provided by the cognitive model developed by Ronald W. Langacker, with the principle of metonymical reference to events (as proposed by Radden and Kovecses) supplementing the strictly grammatical discussion. In conclusion, it is claimed that it is unconventional construals that are markers of what is commonly called "literary style". The principles that underlie such construals, when analysed in linguistic terms, reveal at least some of the workings of the complicated mechanism to which this vague label is commonly meant to refer.

The article presents the issues related to ecological security of the Baltic Sea. The issue was taken from the perspective of Poland as one of the Baltic States, and also as a Member State of the European Union. The authors discussed the mechanisms and legal instruments which are crucial for the ecological security of the Baltic Sea (i.e. Helsinki Convention of 1974, or Agenda 21 for the Baltic Sea Region “Baltic 21”). The importance of cross-border cooperation has also been emphasized as an essential element of the security policy in the Baltic Sea area. The article also indicated threats to the protection of Baltic waters, among others, eutrophication.

ARGUMENTUM

Heroinas et heroas, quos mala fortuna in tragoediis Graecis persequitur, aliae personae scenicae commiserantur, aliae autem spernunt et irrident. Narratur hic, quomodo tales animi passiones quarundam tragoediarum actionem afficiant.