The function of the 𝛉-suffix in Homeric Greek presents

In this paper the question is posed: what is the function of the θ-suffix in Homeric Greek present verbs? For an answer two hypotheses have been raised. One hypothesis is based on the work of Chantraine (1925), who ascribed to the θ-suffix “un valeur déterminé”. This is interpreted by the present author as telicity, so that the first hypothesis reads: the θ-suffix marks telicity in Homeric Greek present verbs. The other hypothesis is based on Haspelmath’s (1993) work on the typology of causative/inchoative verb pairs, that was applied by Magni (2004) to Homeric present verb pairs. The second hypothesis reads: the θ- suffix marks the inchoative member of the causative/inchoative in Homeric Greek verb pairs. The Homeric Greek present verb pairs (with and without the θ-suffix) were selected from a list by Risch (1974). Both hypotheses could be tested by critically reviewing Magni’s methods and examining her selection of examples of Homeric verb pairs. In this paper it is shown that...Show moreIn this paper the question is posed: what is the function of the θ-suffix in Homeric Greek present verbs? For an answer two hypotheses have been raised. One hypothesis is based on the work of Chantraine (1925), who ascribed to the θ-suffix “un valeur déterminé”. This is interpreted by the present author as telicity, so that the first hypothesis reads: the θ-suffix marks telicity in Homeric Greek present verbs. The other hypothesis is based on Haspelmath’s (1993) work on the typology of causative/inchoative verb pairs, that was applied by Magni (2004) to Homeric present verb pairs. The second hypothesis reads: the θ- suffix marks the inchoative member of the causative/inchoative in Homeric Greek verb pairs. The Homeric Greek present verb pairs (with and without the θ-suffix) were selected from a list by Risch (1974). Both hypotheses could be tested by critically reviewing Magni’s methods and examining her selection of examples of Homeric verb pairs. In this paper it is shown that only one out of the nine verb pairs that Magni selected could pass a critical review. The results show that the θ-suffix does mark non-causatives, but these are not inchoatives, except for one. This is a too small base upon which to rest the second hypothesis, so that it should be rejected. From the results it could furthermore be observed in the verb series selected by Magni almost all verb forms were telic, independent of the presence or absence of the θ-suffix. From the results of an extra series of three verb pairs selected by the present author it could be observed that there were about 0.75 more atelic verb forms than telic verb forms, independent of the presence or absence of the θ-suffix. The first hypothesis should therefore also be rejected. It can be concluded that the θ-suffix neither marks telicity nor inchoativity in Homeric Greek presents.Show less

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The function of the 𝛉-suffix in Homeric Greek presents