tense

Wayne Leman wleman at mcn.net
Wed Jun 28 11:02:11 EDT 2000


In other words, Dale, Greek tense isn't really tense at all, but aspect,
which is a different language phenomenon. In languages throughout the world,
tense, aspect, and mood are often closely related to each other, yet they
need to be separated in our minds so that we clearly see the differences
between them. In Greek there is *some* relationship of aspect to tense (as
there often is in other languages), but the primary function of Greek
"tense" is, as you have stated, to indicate aspectual function such as
whether there is duration, punciliar action or viewpoint, etc.

I am hoping that as more and more Greek teachers are exposed to insights
from linguistics, the label "tense" will eventually drop and be replaced by
the more accurate label "aspect". Greek scholars such as Stanley Porter have
written extensively on Greek aspect.

Wayne
Bible translation discussion list:
http://www.egroups.com/group/bible-translation


>I would advise anyone trying to fit the Greek tenses into English to
>recognise that the idea of tense is not the same.  In English tense relates
>primarilly with time, (past - present - future) .  In Greek it seems that
>tense includes a thought to time but duration and effect is more important.

<snip>

>
>Dale Greenlee






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