[B-Greek] Questions about NT verbal aspect

Randall Buth ybitan at mscc.huji.ac.il
Fri Jan 19 05:17:08 EST 2007


George's comments may illustrate why all people can successfully  
learn languages through usage, but most often get tied up in knots  
when trying to enter a language through analysis.

On the other hand, I found James' and Jonathan's comment rather clear  
and straightforward.
I would encourage any student to approach the question with the  
following ATTITUDE:

"These people are trying to describe something very simple and very  
basic, something that is part of every language system. If the words  
for the description are new or fuzzy, they will become clear through  
usage of the language.
Yes, it is as simple and basic as the difference between 'I walked to  
the store' versus 'I was walking to the store,' as between 'to walk'  
and 'to be walking'.
Of course, Greeks use this distinction in places where English  
speakers may not. Every language is idiomatic in that regard. Greek  
is concerned with having this difference marked whenever a verb is  
used, while English often ignores the distinction as 'not worth the  
bother'. English speakers might simply say 'to walk' where a Greek  
might prefer 'to be walking'."

Please note, the above does not answer the question with a list of  
specific situations for each usage, it refers to the ATTITUDE. This  
is basic, this is easy. Often, the knowledge that the category is  
something easy and basic removes stress from the language learner,  
who can then proceed, knowing that in due time, 'just around the  
corner', everything will be clear.

Example: students often puzzle over words like LABE 'take', ANASTHQI  
'get up', DOS, 'give', when these are presented within a 'grammar- 
translation' framework (=grammar-translation is the framework that  
99% of Greek courses are taught in. They ask themselves, 'what is  
aoristic about LABE and DOS' [or LABEIN and DOUNAI]?' and typically  
start off confused, taking LAMBANE and DIDOU as somehow more basic  
because they were usually presented first, [and LAMBANEIN and  
DIDONAI].) Fortunately, if students hear and use these inside the  
classroom, LABE and DOS become 'normal' words for 'give'  and 'take'  
and understandable. They become friends before they are introduced  
with their 'last name' "aorist". When the students later meet and  
learn that there are words like LAMBANE 'be taking' and DIDOU 'be  
giving', they pick up a natural increment in meaning in a new context  
where something more open-ended is being referred to. How do you  
think little children pick up this distinction? It's not rocket- 
science, as they say. Afterwards, the distinction and overall system  
can be presented with a lower experience of stress. And they start to  
'internalize' the distinction. They are actually building a different  
kind of gridwork inside their heads, almost the same, but 'wired  
differently'. You're all welcomed to a summer ELLHNIKH scholé if  
interested. (Teachers should write specific emails if interested in  
visiting.)

Randall Buth
Biblical Language Center
randallbuth at gmail.com
www.biblicalulpan.org






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