[B-Greek] Semantic Range of Prepositions

Richard Lindeman oblchurch at msn.com
Wed Mar 24 16:18:51 EDT 2010


Ok... Maybe not a "rule" from this. But could we possibly work out a logical
process for interpretation of prepositions?

Step #1 Start with the root meaning of the preposition and stay with it as
long as you can.

Step #2 Assemble a listing of potential roles for the preposition based upon
a semantic framework set by the associated verb and noun.
 
Step #3 Consider the typical case functions of the intersecting noun as a
help in narrowing your options.

Step #4 Consider also the possible influence on meaning from the stative or
transitive nature of verb being modified.

Step #5 Consider also evidence of broader context.

Step #6 Now make your best guess. Prepositions are tough.  ;-)

Rich Lindeman  




On 3/24/10 1:28 PM, "Richard Lindeman" <oblchurch at msn.com> wrote:

> Right, I have only suggested a listing of factors.
> And my only question at this point is whether I have correctly identified the
> four key factors that exert the greatest influence upon one's interpretation
> of Greek prepositions and if I have stated them clearly and succinctly enough
> to be useful for my continued studies.
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> Rich Lindeman
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On 3/24/10 11:54 AM, "b-greek-request at lists.ibiblio.org"
> <b-greek-request at lists.ibiblio.org> wrote:
> 
>> Message: 20
>> Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:54:16 -0500
>> From: "yancywsmith at sbcglobal.net" <yancywsmith at sbcglobal.net>
>> Subject: Re: [B-Greek] Semantic Range of Prepositions
>> To: bGreek Greek <B-Greek at lists.ibiblio.org>
>> Message-ID: <1B8F24E2-8A34-451F-BFA2-B205C92C50A4 at sbcglobal.net>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>> 
>> The "rule" as stated is only a list of "factors," of course. To be a rule it
>> has to be operational, i.e. "when x,y,z or y,z then meaning a" i.e. some if,
>> then function. There is a lot to be said on the semantics of prepositions. An
>> interesting source that one can peruse at the preview on amazon.com is the
>> introductory chapter of Syntax and Semantics of Prepositions by Patrick
>> Saint-Dizier (Springer, 2006). The introductory chapter, or what can be read
>> of it gives some good discussion. Some of other articles in the book, while
>> not dealing with NT Greek, discuss the semantics of prepositions in a
>> multilingual environment (another factor for "meaning").
>> 
>> Yancy Smith, PhD
>> yancywsmith at sbcglobal.net
>> Y.W.Smith at tcu.edu
>> yancy at wbtc.com
>> 5636 Wedgworth Road
>> Fort Worth, TX 76133
>> 817-361-7565





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