Analyses of the BH Verbal System

Matthew Anstey’s taxonomy of analyses of the BH verbal system and of qatal in particular is helpful. He understands the following as tense-prominent analyses: Hetzron 1987; Revell 1989; Niccacci 1990, 1997; Gropp 1991; DeCaen 1996a, 1996b; Goldfajn 1998; Zevit 1998; Rogland 2003, and, of course, Anstey 2009. Aspect-prominent analyses: Gentry 1998; Cook 2002. Modal-prominent or modal-and-aspect prominent analyses: Hatav 1997, 2004; Joosten 1997. Discourse-analysis prominent analyses: Schneider 1982.

To be sure, Niccacci also belongs in the discourse-prominent analysis category, and Schneider also belongs in the tense-prominent analysis category. Joosten, on the other hand, eliminates aspect as a marked feature of the verbal system. Rogland, unless I misunderstand, stresses both tense and aspect, like his teacher, Muraoka. This applies to Randall Buth as well (not listed above).

In my view, a tense-and-modal prominent analysis of the BH verbal system is the most adequate to the data in hand, whereas an aspect-prominent analysis has an “etic” flavor to it – which makes it interesting and productive in its own way. Discourse-prominent analysis has its place, but should be considered a discrete level of analysis, with its own niche in the linguistic hierarchy. Regardless, the first thing that must be done is take inventory of the system and understand the interrelations of its parts. Analyses that leave to one side one or more of the following items are not to be trusted: qatal, yiqtol, wayyiqtol, w^eqatal, and qotel (the predicative participle); compound structures with haya; and the modal system expressed by long and short yiqtol, w^eyiqtol, eqt^ela / niqt^ela, w^eeqt^ela, waeqt^ela, q^etol, qatol, etc.

On this view, the medieval Jewish grammarians were not greatly amiss in their tense-prominent analysis of qatal, yiqtol, wayyiqtol, w^eqatal, and qotel. Theirs is the closest thing we have to an “emic” analysis of the language. It should not be set aside without good reason.

This concludes my review of Matthew's essay. If I understand him correctly, it won't be long before he is blogging regularly on BH grammar. That is worth looking forward to.

Comments

[Joshua Stewart]

Where can I find Matthew's essay?

[JohnFH]

Hi Joshua,

I sent you a copy; I hope you received it.

Seminaries, unless they have an arrangement with a university, do not oftne have the funds to purchase access to online archives such as JSTOR and de Gruyter Reference Global (through the latter, online access to the latest issue of Linguistics, the journal Anstey published in, is available).

[Joshua Stewart]

I received the article. Thanks so much for sending it to me. I plan on making some time to read the article within the week.

[cristian]

John - could you please send me a copy of the article too? Thanks a lot. Cristian

[JohnFH]

Hi Cristian,

I now have. There are many others I need to get the article to. I'm hoping you will find the time to pass on comments and queries, either here or on your own blog.

[Daniel Wang]

John,
Can I have a copy of this article as well?
Thanks

[JohnFH]

Daniel,

I will try to get it to you.