Diathesis in the Semitic Languages - DUO - Universitetet i Oslo

113 Pages·2012·2.57 MB·English

by  Øyvind Bjøru

Diathesis in the
Semitic Languages
Exploring the binyan system

Øyvind Bjøru

SEM4090 - Masteroppgave i semittisk språkvitenskap (60 studiepoeng)
Institutt for kulturstudier og orientalske språk, Universitetet i Oslo
Asiatiske og afrikanske studier, semittisk språkvitenskap
Vår 2012
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© Øyvind Bjøru
2012
Diathesis in the Semitic Languages: Exploring the binyan system
Øyvind Bjøru
http://www.duo.uio.no/

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Abstract
This thesis looks at the system of verbal stems/diatheses/binyanim in the Semitic languages
Akkadian, Gәᶜәz, Amharic, Arabic, Cairene Arabic, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Phoenician-Punic. The
functions each of the stems can convey (such as the passive, reflexive, causative, factitive etc.) are
surveyed and an attempt to reveal an underlying principle that can unite the various functions is
made. A theory of prototypical transitivity, i.e. transitivity as a semantic rather than syntactic concept
defined by means of a prototype, has been applied and has proven a useful tool in analyzing the
verbal stems, and the three parameters of classification within this approach (volition, instigation,
and affectedness) have turned out to be powerful means of distinguishing minute nuances between
stems.
Initially the formation of verbal predicates in general, and the way participants are associated
with them, is discussed. These general sections show that a theory of the binyanim that can account
equally well for isolated forms as for rich and intricate interdependencies between several stems
formed from the same root is possible if we look for the basic mechanisms that the binyanim encode.
Through the analysis it is revealed that these basic mechanisms are for instance the affectedness of
the subject, the lack of distinguishability of participants, and the focus on an instigating participant.
It is also found that these basic properties of participants can receive a special focus, and that such
focus shifts are another basic function of the binyanim. The difference between a causative and a
factitive clause can for example be identified as the former’s focus on the cause’s instigation and the
latter’s focus on the causee’s affectedness.

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Preface
I would like to thank my supervisor, professor Lutz E. Edzard, for his valuable input and
encouragement throughout the process.
I must also acknowledge the invaluable support offered by my beloved “partner in crime”, Oda
Myran Winsnes, who has offered valuable suggestions, and not to mention moral support through
her charming presence and delightful smile.

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Contents
Abstract ................................................................................................................................................... V
Preface ................................................................................................................................................... VII
Contents .................................................................................................................................................. 1
Abbreviations and designations .............................................................................................................. 4
Transcription ........................................................................................................................................... 5
Akkadian .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Gәᶜәz .................................................................................................................................................... 5
Amharic ............................................................................................................................................... 5
Arabic ................................................................................................................................................... 6
Cairene Arabic ..................................................................................................................................... 6
Hebrew ................................................................................................................................................ 6
1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 7
1.1. Aim........................................................................................................................................... 7
1.2. Material ................................................................................................................................... 8
1.3. Previous research .................................................................................................................... 8
2. Theoretical framework .................................................................................................................... 9
2.1. What is a binyan? .................................................................................................................. 10
2.2. Eventualities .......................................................................................................................... 11
2.3. Participants ............................................................................................................................ 14
2.4. Relations between the participants at the semantic and syntactic levels ............................ 19
2.4.1. Valency .......................................................................................................................... 19
2.4.2. Prototypical transitivity ................................................................................................. 20
2.4.3. Intransitivity ................................................................................................................... 25
2.4.4. Passivity ......................................................................................................................... 26
2.4.5. Causativity ..................................................................................................................... 27
2.4.6. Reflexivity and reciprocity ............................................................................................. 30
2.4.7. Number .......................................................................................................................... 30
2.5. Towards a theory of the binyanim ........................................................................................ 32
3. Method .......................................................................................................................................... 34
4. Analysis .......................................................................................................................................... 36
4.1. Components of the diathesis system .................................................................................... 36
4.1.1. Affixes ............................................................................................................................ 36
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4.1.2. Apophony and apothematism ....................................................................................... 38
4.2. The binyan system of the Semitic languages ........................................................................ 38
4.2.1. Akkadian ........................................................................................................................ 38
4.2.1.1. The morphology of the Akkadian System.............................................................. 38
4.2.1.2. The Akkadian G-Stem ............................................................................................ 39
4.2.1.3. The Akkadian N-Stem ............................................................................................ 42
4.2.1.4. The Akkadian D-Stem ............................................................................................ 45
4.2.1.5. The Akkadian Š-Stem ............................................................................................. 46
4.2.1.6. The Akkadian t-Stems ............................................................................................ 48
4.2.1.7. The Akkadian tn-Stems .......................................................................................... 50
4.2.1.8. Other Akkadian Stems ........................................................................................... 51
4.2.2. Gәᶜәz .............................................................................................................................. 51
4.2.2.1. The morphology of the Gәᶜәz System ................................................................... 51
4.2.2.2. The Gәᶜәz basic stems (G-, D-, and L-Stem) ........................................................... 52
4.2.2.3. The Gәᶜәz C-Stems ................................................................................................. 53
4.2.2.4. The Gәᶜәz t-Stems.................................................................................................. 54
4.2.2.5. The Gәᶜәz st-Stems ................................................................................................ 56
4.2.3. Amharic ......................................................................................................................... 57
4.2.3.1. The morphology of the Amharic System ............................................................... 57
4.2.3.2. The Amharic G-Stems ............................................................................................ 58
4.2.3.2.1. Type A and B ....................................................................................................... 58
4.2.3.2.2. Type C ................................................................................................................. 58
4.2.3.2.3. The Reduplicated type........................................................................................ 59
4.2.3.3. The Amharic tä-Stem ............................................................................................. 60
4.2.3.4. The Amharic a- and as-Stems ................................................................................ 64
4.2.3.5. Other Amharic stems ............................................................................................ 66
4.2.4. Arabic ............................................................................................................................. 68
4.2.4.1. The morphology of the Arabic System .................................................................. 68
4.2.4.2. The Arabic G-Stem ................................................................................................. 69
4.2.4.3. The Arabic N-Stem ................................................................................................. 69
4.2.4.4. The Arabic D-Stem ................................................................................................. 70
4.2.4.5. The Arabic L-Stem .................................................................................................. 72
4.2.4.6. The Arabic C-Stem ................................................................................................. 74
4.2.4.7. The Arabic Gt-Stem ............................................................................................... 75
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