[B-Greek] technical vocabulary (was Re: Luke 4:7)
Steve Runge
srunge at logos.com
Fri Jun 15 14:08:20 EDT 2007
James,
Unfortunately, the short answer is 'yes', you would have to read a number of different resources to get an introduction. At present there is not a very tidy introduction. I have written portions of my dissertation to address this issue, but that is just a stop gap measure. There used to be some workshop materials by SIL that were freely downloadable on the web, but the link I had is broken. I have compiled these materials into a larger, searchable Word document. I need to find out about its status, and the ability to distribute it. It provides an introduction to the analysis of narrative, and there is another on hortatory discourse, i.e., the epistles and the reported speeches within narrative.
I am in the process of putting together a web page that at least outlines my view on the matter, and would provide a workable introduction. The second chapter of my dissertation outlines my methodological framework, defines terminology, and discloses my presuppositions. Chapter 6 provides a cognitive description of why things stand out or a considered 'prominent', based on my model and presuppositions. In a nutshell, prominence has everything to do with people formulating patterns based on their experience, and expectations associated with these patterns. When the expectations are unmet, or when the pattern is broken, the break is construed as standing out. I am hoping to have these materials posted early next week.
I share your frustration with the status quo. When I started into this field in 1998, I felt as though I was walking around a building that had some really interesting things going on inside, based on what I could see through the windows. There was one problem: all of the doors were locked. I have made it my mission in life to change that, at least for those who would accept my presuppositions. As far as linguistic camps, I am a functional, applied linguist in line with Talmy Givón and Simon Dik. I have also added a cognitive component based on the work of Knud Lambrecht.
The principles that I am applying are not unique to Greek, but apply to many typologically diverse languages. I make this point rather gleefully in my dissertation as it is relevant. Chapter 5 is rather rich with such connections. Since they are cross-linguistic principles about how things work, the same principles can be applied to English and Biblical Hebrew to explain how the same function is accomplished using comparable devices. Note that I say PRINCIPLES, not RULES. Randall Buth's work on information structure in Aramaic and Hebrew demonstrates this very well. He and I are on the same page, from all that I can tell.
At any rate, hopefully in the next week or so I will have an annotated bibliography, plus links to as many articles/introductions that are available on the web. However, I expect it will still take some effort to 'get into the building' for a while.
I have several papers that are intended to provide an introduction, based on topic. These will be posted. There is one on Greek word order applied to the Parable of the Sower, one on the discourse function of 'proleptic' demonstrative pronouns, and another on the pragmatic use of referring expressions in Hebrew narrative. Several others need revision and will be posted soon.
You are very right in being frustrated with the field of discourse analysis. Terminology is a problem. Levinsohn's "Discourse Features of New Testament Greek" has proven too precise to be accessible for most. I had to go study with the man before I finally broke through. I am hoping to at least lay some groundwork for discussion based on my framework and explanations of concepts. I have much to learn, but hopefully what I have mastered so far will prove to be of some value.
Regards,
Steve
-----Original Message-----
From: b-greek-bounces at lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:b-greek-bounces at lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of James Ernest
Sent: Friday, June 15, 2007 9:58 AM
To: greek B-Greek
Subject: [B-Greek] technical vocabulary (was Re: Luke 4:7)
Stepping back from the details of this thread: I'm interested both by the evidently useful technical vocabulary (focus, emphasis, fronting, marking, etc.) that several of you seem to share--vocabulary that I did not learn studying classical and biblical languages in in college, seminary and graduate school. From various asides, I gather that (1) this is the lingo of discourse analysis, and (2) there is such a multiplicity of different theories in the arena that you find it difficult to understand each other even when using the shared technical vocabulary. Which makes me think there's probably no one manageable book that I could read to get a handle on the vocabulary.
I'd have to read an assortment of dissertations and books on general linguistic theory and try to get my bearings on my own.
Right?
James Ernest
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