[b-greek] Re: John 4:17-18

From: c stirling bartholomew (cc.constantine@worldnet.att.net)
Date: Mon Jun 25 2001 - 21:30:23 EDT


on 6/25/01 5:54 PM, c stirling bartholomew wrote:

> In other words, I would choose to be very cautious and tentative about the
> significance of the fronting of ANDRA. I have read all the works that you
> mentioned and numerous others which talk about word order and pragmatics. I
> am as yet unconvinced that this "rule" as you stated it is "one of the
> assured results of modern linguistics."

Why am I unconvinced? Because the whole notion of "fronting" assumes that we
know for sure what order constituents should take in a Greek clause. You
cannot identify a "fronted" constituent unless you have identified a
standard pattern. All of the logic of "fronting" goes to pieces if you
simply deny that this pattern has been conclusively identified.

I am taking an attitude of "suspended judgement" on the standard pattern
issue and for that reason also on the question of "fronting." I know that
the pragmatics folks will say I have missed the point, that a fronted
constituent is not dependent on a standard pattern but having read in great
detail the arguments for this position I still think they are wrong.

In my mind saying that you can identify a fronted constituent without having
a standard pattern is like saying you can see black camels moving across a
black desert on a moonless night.

Clay
 

Clay

--
Clayton Stirling Bartholomew
Three Tree Point
P.O. Box 255 Seahurst WA 98062

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