R.J. Allan

Changing the Topic. Topic Position in Ancient Greek Word Order

AbstractIn Ancient Greek, topics can be expressed as intra-clausal constituents but they can also precede or follow the main clause as extra-clausal constituents. Together, these various topic expressions constitute a coherent system of complementary pragmatic functions. For a comprehensive account of topic organization, therefore, a limited focus on the clause proper is insufficient. In this paper, I will argue that it is possible to distinguish five different structural positions in which topic constituents may appear in Ancient Greek. These are: (i) Theme, (ii) clause-initial, (iii) postverbal in Setting, (iv) postverbal in main clause and (v) Tail. Each of these positions in the sentence is associated with a specific pragmatic function: Resumed Topic, Contrastive/New Topic, Given Topic or clarification of Given Topic. In linguistic theory, topic and focus are often seen as independent aspects of information structure instead of complementary functions. It is, therefore, attractive to posit two separate sets of constructional templates: on the one hand, a topic set comprising the aforementioned topic constructions and, on the other hand, a focus set containing two (narrow and broad) focus-constructions. This results in a flexible system in which the word order of each sentence is determined by a combination of a focus construction plus one or more topic constructions.

Clause Intertwining and Word Order in Ancient Greek

In Ancient Greek complex sentences consisting of a main and complement clause, constituents which semantically and syntactically belong to the complement clause can be placed in a position preceding or interrupting the main clause. This phenomenon is referred to as clauseorsentence intertwining . This paper examines the pragmatic factors involved in the preposing of contituents in sentences containing an infijinitival complement clause. It will be argued that the specifijic pragmatic function of the preposed constituents is Theme (left dislocation), new/contrastive topic or narrow focus . Preposing can be analyzed as a device to pragmatically highlight the involved constituents. The paper also addresses the position of new, contrastive and given topics and of adverbs and clauses with Setting function.

The Infinitivus pro Imperativo in Ancient Greek: The imperatival infinitive as an expression of proper procedural action

In this paper, it is argued that the use of the imperatival infinitive (or, infinitivus pro imperativo) can be explained by means of the notion of procedure. The imperatival infinitive refers to the appropriate action that is to be carried out as part of a practical or conventional social procedure (script, frame) which is evoked in the discourse or by the extra-linguistic situation of the interlocutors. Unlike the imperative proper, the imperatival infinitive does not involve a direct appeal of the speaker to the hearer. As its directive force depends on the appropriateness of the action within a particular procedure, the imperatival infinitive can be seen as a more indirect type of directive expression.The functional differences between the imperative and the imperatival infinitive can be clarified by reference to the notions of finiteness and grounding. As imperatival infinitives are not finite, they do not invoke the ground (i.e. the speech event, its participants, and its immediate circumstances), but merely designate a type of action which is not epistemically located with respect to time or reality. Unlike the imperative, therefore, the directive force of the imperatival infinitive is not anchored in the ground, but, instead, it is pragmatically implicated by the procedure at hand.

From Enargeia to Immersion: The Ancient Roots of a Modern Concept

This article argues that the modern notion of immersion, a reader being absorbed in a virtual world to such a degree that she experiences it as if it were the actual world, has a predecessor in the ancient notion of enargeia, “the power of bringing the things that are said before the senses of the audience.” First, it discusses how ancient Greek literary critics theorized about enargeia. Since these critics praise Homer as an author who is particularly capable of achieving enargeia, its second objective is to examine the narrative techniques by which he immerses his audience in his story world.

The Imperfect Unbound: A Cognitive Linguistic Approach to Greek Aspect

In Ancient Greek narrative, the imperfect typically presents the state of affairs as ongoing in order to serve as a temporal framework for the occurrence of one or more other states of affairs. However, in narrative we also find a considerable number of imperfects (especially with verbs of motion and verbs of speech) which refer to completed states of affairs. In this paper, it is argued that Cognitive Grammar notions such as construal, temporal scope of view, profile and base can be helpful in describing aspectual contrasts. The imperfects at issue express the narrator’s construal of the state of affairs as unbounded, thereby emphasizing that the state of affairs is of continuing relevance in the subsequent narrative.

'Sophocles Trachiniae 1-48, Euripidean Prologues, and their Audiences'

In this paper, the author discusses two (groups of) dramatic texts which are generally considered monologues: Sophocles Trachiniae 1-48 and Euripidean prologues. Using a combined set of narratological and linguistic criteria he points out a considerable number of signs of the narratee, which make the qualification of monologue questionable. In the case of the Trachiniae the allusive narrative style, clearly meant for an insider, and the presence of the Nurse on stage, who moreover in her opening speech reacts to Deanira’s words, suggest that Deanira’s speech is part of a dialogue and that she expects the Nurse to identify with this narratee. In the case of Euripidean prologues their detailed nature and the absence of possible interlocutors on stage points at the spectators as the ones who are supposed to identify with this narratee. Rather than monologues tout court he suggests to call Euripidean prologues ‘diaphonic’ monologues. Keywords: Deanira; Euripidean prologues; linguistic criteria; narratological criteria; Sophocles Trachiniae