[B-Greek] Aorist as an 'x' rather than a '.' (dot)

malcolm robertson mjriii2003 at yahoo.com
Tue Aug 2 12:26:14 EDT 2005


Dear Eddie,
 
Since others have chimed in on this thread I will confine my remarks to directing you to a book that will prove most helpful in answering your question.  
 
Aspect : An Introduction to the Study of Verbal Aspect and Related Problems (Cambridge Textbooks in Linguistics)
by Bernard Comrie 
 
Smythe is doubtless correct that the aorist is punctiliar in time (and in aspect).  The completed action in past time (aorist) however when view from the vantage point of aspect does not define the extent of the action within or upon this point (in past time).  It could very well be a million years (punctiliarly).
 
Carl has already pointed to other examples in other moods - yet the aspect quality is retained although the tense quality is not emphasized in these other moods.  Hence the indefinite (i.e. undisclosed) aspect quality (although yet viewed and understood as punctiliar) at Jn 20:29. 
 
Bernard Comrie has rendered an invaluable service in this area and it would bless you abundantly to get a copy and read.
 
Cordially in Him,
 
Malcolm Robertson
_________________________________________


Eddie Mishoe <edmishoe at yahoo.com> wrote:
AORISTOS CRONOS (from hORIZW define ; unlimited,
indefinite, or undefined time) is so named because it
does not show the limitations (hOPOS) of continuance
(expressed by the imperfect) or of the completion with
permanent results (expressed by the perfect).


This is from Smyth (p 414). Of course, Smyth is more
so concerned with Classical Greek, but my question
deals with why most grammarians, including Smyth
himself, want to define the verbal aspect of the
Aorist as a point or dot. This would seem to imply
"completion," which seems more suitable for the domain
of the Perfect. Why is it generally taught that the
Aorist portrays the event in its entirety or as a
whole? Rather than the Aorist being portrayed by a dot
or period, which implies completion, would it not be
more accurate to label it with an "x" ? That way, we
avoid putting something definite with an indefinite
concept. 


Eddie Mishoe
Pastor

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