[B-Greek] demonstrative pronouns

Iver Larsen iver at larsen.dk
Wed Dec 14 00:46:09 EST 2005


> A truly illuminating analysis. I have a question however. It sounds
> like the deictic and referential functions are mutually exclusive.

I would think they are, but it may need some more detailed analysis.

> It  also sounds like the near and distant sense never applies when the
> demonstrative is referential. If this is the case the BDF (291.3) and
> Turner (Syntax p.46) have gone astray. They both talk about the near
> and distant sense in John 7:45 and it is clear that the pronouns are
> both referential.
>
> Elizabeth Kline

BDF says that EKEINOI are "remote from the scene". If we understand "near" in terms of prominence or foregrounding and 
"distant/remote" in terms of backgrounding, then there is not a lot of difference between my analysis and the one in 
BDF. However, I don't think the key factor is remoteness in terms of intervening words.

Obviously, when I approach the text from the point of view of discourse and pragmatics, the analysis will sometimes be 
different from the traditional one which does not have the same background.

That Greek narrative normally refers to the main character by a pronoun is important for meaningful translation. Many 
modern versions translate pronouns referring to Jesus by the name Jesus rather than a pronoun, because the discourse 
conventions of Greek and English are different. That is why the literal versions are often confusing and betray the 
intended meaning,.when they attempt to translate every pronoun in Greek with a pronoun in English and every 
demonstrative in Greek with a demonstrative in English.

Having said that, the difference between the two Greek demonstratives is not always clear, and in a few contexts they 
are used interchangeably. In addition, John is particular fond of demonstratives, so his usage is slightly different 
from other authors in the NT. It is a complex issues which would benefit from a thorough analysis (ph.d. topic?) based 
on recent advances in linguistics. Maybe someone has already done that, and I am not aware of it.

Iver Larsen 




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