John Benjamins Publishing Company
A matter of perspective
Abstract
Eo and venio, Latin’s primary motion verbs, are traditionally interpreted referring to an aspectual differentiation (telic venio vs. non-telic eo). The analysis of preclassical texts, however, show traces of an embryonic change towards a deictic-oriented use. Venio, in particular, displays prototypical instances centered around telicity vs. less typical occurrences governed by a deictic principle. Cognitive and pragmatic phenomena such as the interaction between spatial and temporal deixis or an ego-perspective appear to be relevant within this process, where aspectual or deictic orientations turn out to be functional in terms of textual exploitation. The comprehension of these features can account for the emergence, in Classical Latin, of a new eo – venio polarization where deixis progressively plays a pivot role.
Abstract
Eo and venio, Latin’s primary motion verbs, are traditionally interpreted referring to an aspectual differentiation (telic venio vs. non-telic eo). The analysis of preclassical texts, however, show traces of an embryonic change towards a deictic-oriented use. Venio, in particular, displays prototypical instances centered around telicity vs. less typical occurrences governed by a deictic principle. Cognitive and pragmatic phenomena such as the interaction between spatial and temporal deixis or an ego-perspective appear to be relevant within this process, where aspectual or deictic orientations turn out to be functional in terms of textual exploitation. The comprehension of these features can account for the emergence, in Classical Latin, of a new eo – venio polarization where deixis progressively plays a pivot role.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
- A matter of perspective 15
- Vertical scales in temporal sub constructions in Latin 57
- The embodied sources of purpose expressions in Latin 85
- Ontological and orientational metaphors in Latin 115
- The metaphorical structuring of kinship in Latin 141
- Abstract and embodied colors in Pliny the Elder’s Natural History 177
- Embodiment in Latin technical texts 209
- Embodied historiography 237
- Index 269
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
- A matter of perspective 15
- Vertical scales in temporal sub constructions in Latin 57
- The embodied sources of purpose expressions in Latin 85
- Ontological and orientational metaphors in Latin 115
- The metaphorical structuring of kinship in Latin 141
- Abstract and embodied colors in Pliny the Elder’s Natural History 177
- Embodiment in Latin technical texts 209
- Embodied historiography 237
- Index 269
