Question Concerning Terminology

Steven Craig Miller scmiller at www.plantnet.com
Fri Jan 21 15:14:12 EST 2000


This message asks questions concerning linguistic terminology.

What are the differences (or relationship) between the terms "morphology" 
and "accidence." Are these merely synonyms? Or is "morphology" a broader 
category than "accidence"? (Or something else altogether?)

What are the differences (or relationships) between the terms "syntax," 
"grammar," and "semantics"? Is "syntax" a part of "grammar," and "grammar" 
a part of "semantics"?

It seems to me (I don't know if others with concur or not) that the major 
task of a beginning student learning Greek is threefold: (a) memorizing 
basic vocabulary, (b) memorizing paradigms, and (c) learning basic syntax. 
Given this generalization, would one say that this represents: (a) 
vocabulary, (b) accidence, and (c) syntax? (I'm especially concerned about 
the appropriateness of 'b' "accidence.") Or what terms would you prefer? 
Also, while we are at it, would you agree with such a generalization? Or 
would you put it differently?

-Steven Craig Miller
Alton, Illinois (USA)
scmiller at www.plantnet.com
FWIW: I'm neither a clergy-person, nor an academic (and I have no post-grad 
degrees).




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