[B-Greek] Present & Aorist of general & abstract verbs
Richard Lindeman
oblchurch at msn.com
Sat Dec 10 12:49:15 EST 2005
I have been wrestling with the special challenge of translating close and
distant aspect(present & aorist) for general and abstract verbs, and I could
use some help.
Is it possible that the aspect(close or distant) for general and abstract
verbs focuses on the subjects of those verbs more than upon the verbal
action itself? After all, the subject of a verb is normally concrete and it
is usually easy to see the subject up close or at a distance.
In the concrete situation of a train passing by it is a simple enough matter
to see the verbal action up close. to see the train cars passing by one by
one or to view the entire train in motion from a distance.
But MANY situations are not so concrete and for me it becomes very difficult
or even impossible to enter into or withdraw from the action being described
because the verbal action being utilized is general or abstract in nature.
In such instances I am wondering if it might be that the author intends for
the aspect to be focused more upon the subject than upon the motion of the
verb.
The formula for aspect interpretation would then be.
Aspect of general & abstract verbs = close or distant subject in motion.
Aspect of specific & concrete verbs = close or distant motion of the
subject.
Does any of this make sense or am I completely off the wall on this?
Thanks!
Richard Lindeman
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