5 On complex adpositions in Modern Greek
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Pietro Bortone
Abstract
This article reviews Modern Greek word strings that could be considered adpositions, noting some arguments for or against such classification. In Modern Greek, there are many combinations of adverbs and adpositions which are functionally and semantically comparable to simple adpositions; and there are other sequences of words that could be regarded as more elaborate adpositions. We first look at [ADV + P] compounds like piso apo ‘behind’ or anamesa se ‘among’, and we consider criteria for granting or denying them adpositional status - criteria such as cross-linguistic parallels, unique combinatory meanings, and restricted paradigmatic and syntagmatic flexibility. We then consider, in a similar light, more complex kinds of phrases. These include: the type [[P + Det + N] + NPgen], e.g. kata ti diarcia (+gen) ‘during’; the type [[P1 + N + P2] + NPacc], e.g. se scesi me ‘concerning’; the type [[P + N] + NPgen], e.g. dia mesu +gen ‘through’; the type [[P + N] + NPacc], e.g. me θema ‘about (i.e. on the topic of)’; and the type [[archaic NPdat/acc] + NPgen], e.g. loɣo +gen ‘because (of)’. In conclusion, we point out diachronic similarities and connections between Greek simple and complex adpositions, showing that even simple adpositions were originally complex in structure.
Abstract
This article reviews Modern Greek word strings that could be considered adpositions, noting some arguments for or against such classification. In Modern Greek, there are many combinations of adverbs and adpositions which are functionally and semantically comparable to simple adpositions; and there are other sequences of words that could be regarded as more elaborate adpositions. We first look at [ADV + P] compounds like piso apo ‘behind’ or anamesa se ‘among’, and we consider criteria for granting or denying them adpositional status - criteria such as cross-linguistic parallels, unique combinatory meanings, and restricted paradigmatic and syntagmatic flexibility. We then consider, in a similar light, more complex kinds of phrases. These include: the type [[P + Det + N] + NPgen], e.g. kata ti diarcia (+gen) ‘during’; the type [[P1 + N + P2] + NPacc], e.g. se scesi me ‘concerning’; the type [[P + N] + NPgen], e.g. dia mesu +gen ‘through’; the type [[P + N] + NPacc], e.g. me θema ‘about (i.e. on the topic of)’; and the type [[archaic NPdat/acc] + NPgen], e.g. loɣo +gen ‘because (of)’. In conclusion, we point out diachronic similarities and connections between Greek simple and complex adpositions, showing that even simple adpositions were originally complex in structure.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Introduction: Complex adpositions and complex nominal relators 1
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Indo-European language families & isolates
- 1 Complex adpositions in Romance: Emergence and variation 33
- 2 Complex adpositions in three West Germanic Languages: German, Dutch, and English 65
- 3 Complex adpositions in Slavic languages: The case of Serbian 139
- 4 Complex prepositions in Breton 195
- 5 On complex adpositions in Modern Greek 233
- 6 Complex prepositions in Albanian: A first assessment 265
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Non Indo-European languages
- 7 What makes a complex postposition: The cyclic development of postpositions in Estonian 299
- 8 Complex and simple postpositions: The split in Permic 335
- 9 Case marking and complex adpositions in Basque 367
- 10 Structure and origin of Turkish adpositions 403
- 11 A chapter on compound prepositions in Maltese: prep-prep combinations and related issues 439
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Discussion
- 12 Complex adpositions in Europe and beyond: A synthesis 473
- Index 497
- Language Index 501
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Introduction: Complex adpositions and complex nominal relators 1
-
Indo-European language families & isolates
- 1 Complex adpositions in Romance: Emergence and variation 33
- 2 Complex adpositions in three West Germanic Languages: German, Dutch, and English 65
- 3 Complex adpositions in Slavic languages: The case of Serbian 139
- 4 Complex prepositions in Breton 195
- 5 On complex adpositions in Modern Greek 233
- 6 Complex prepositions in Albanian: A first assessment 265
-
Non Indo-European languages
- 7 What makes a complex postposition: The cyclic development of postpositions in Estonian 299
- 8 Complex and simple postpositions: The split in Permic 335
- 9 Case marking and complex adpositions in Basque 367
- 10 Structure and origin of Turkish adpositions 403
- 11 A chapter on compound prepositions in Maltese: prep-prep combinations and related issues 439
-
Discussion
- 12 Complex adpositions in Europe and beyond: A synthesis 473
- Index 497
- Language Index 501
