[B-Greek] FW: Luke 4:7
Steve Runge
srunge at logos.com
Wed Jun 13 13:00:23 EDT 2007
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Runge
Posted At: Tuesday, June 12, 2007 10:57 AM
Posted To: bgreek
Conversation: [B-Greek] Luke 4:7
Subject: [B-Greek] Luke 4:7
Elizabeth,
There is a huge problem with terminology, as well as getting a grasp of all of the variables that are in play regarding clause-level constituent ordering principles.
By default, the natural flow of information moves from most known to least known. This means that the default location for focal (new) information is as close to the end of the clause as the typology of the language allows.
If something typically comes at the end, fronting it adds prominence to it. If it is focal, you could say it has been placed in 'marked focus', for emphasis sake.
If something typically comes first (like verbs), then shifting it to the end is the typical way of placing it in marked focus.
Thus, there is a distinction between default versus marked focus. If I were to ask the question, "When did you get here", the answer "yesterday" would be focal whether it came at the beginning of your reply or at the end. "I came here yesterday" would be the default, whereas "Yesterday (is when) I came" would place the answer in marked focus.
There are lots of problems with terminology. I am hoping that the introduction to the discourse project that I am working on will at least provide a basis for dialogue on the issue, even if people disagree at the end of the day. Too much discussion results from people not disclosing what their theoretical framework looks like, or from working with an incomplete framework. The introductions to information structure really do not exist, especially one tailored to Koine Greek. I am hoping to fill some of the void with my project.
Steve
-----Original Message-----
From: b-greek-bounces at lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:b-greek-bounces at lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Elizabeth Kline Posted At: Tuesday, June 12, 2007 10:35 AM Posted To: bgreek
Conversation: [B-Greek] Luke 4:7
Subject: Re: [B-Greek] Luke 4:7
Since the pronoun is unnecessary, MATT. 4:9 TAUTA SOI PANTA DWSW, EAN PESWN PROSKUNHSHiS MOI, the use of the pronoun would draw a certain amount of attention even somewhere in the middle or at the end of the clause. The preverbal slot has received a lot of attention from linguists as a position reserved for some sort of pragmatic marking.
I would be tempted to use the word focus to describe the position of SU in Luke 4:7. But focus has been used in reference to the clause final position as well, so terminology becomes a problem.
Anyway, there is no question the SU is an attention getting constituent in this clause.
Elizabeth Kline
On Jun 12, 2007, at 9:19 AM, James Ernest wrote:
> Seems to me that in a language where the subject isn't going to come
> first, isn't even going to need to be given explicitly because it's
> implicit in the verb ending, sticking the pronoun up front is the only
> way to zoom in on the subject before filling in the sentence. In some
> languages (ASL comes to mind), one routinely "sets up" the noun that's
> the focus of attention in the sentence, whether as subject or as
> object, then adds the statement about it. French puts the subject
> first but then also routinely adds a pronoun, esp. in first-person
> ("Moi, je préfêre . . . ").
>
> In Luke 4:7, the SU not only specifies that this is an offer directed
> specifically to Jesus (after the generalizing "to whomever") but more
> than that: Satan zooms in to get "in his face" with this challenge.
> Satan can give the kingdoms to whomever . . . special offer for Jesus:
> power in exange for proskynesis. Not sure how that can translate . . .
>
> James Ernest
>
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