Re: [tied] The (i)sc - element in romance verb cojugation

I discuss it briefly in the essay on PIE verbs, uploaded to the list's Files section:

"The suffix *-sk^e-/*-sk^o-, usually added to nil-grade bases, forms iterative (or inchoative) stems. Its common variant is *-isk^e-. Apparently, the same *-sk^e- can also produce denonimal duratives like *medhu-sk^e- 'get drunk' (from *medhu 'mead, intoxicating drink') or *wod-sk^e- 'wash'.

*gwm-sk^é- 'walk about' (from *gwem-)
*prk^-sk^é- 'ask repeatedly' (from *prek^-)

Also with reduplication:

*gwi-gwm-sk^e- 'keep walking about'
*g^i-g^nh3-sk^e- 'know, resolve' (from *g^noh3-)"

Piotr

----- Original Message -----
From: <aquila_grande@...>
To: <cybalist@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, February 14, 2003 7:53 PM
Subject: [tied] The (i)sc - element in romance verb cojugation


>
> In the romance verb, the stem of verbs are in some forms extended by
> an element -i(sc)- or some modifiction of this. It is used in
> different ways, and in different degree in the different languages.
> However it is best attested in Italien in the 3. conjugation where it
> is very much used and very productive(= Latin 4. conjugation).
>
> For eksample: capisco, capisci, capisce, capiscono (I, you, he, they
> understand)
>
> It is also found in some verbs of Italian 2. conjugation (If it
> really is the same element?) conosco, conosci, conosce. Etc. (I, you,
> he know(s))
>
> Latin had a group of verbs in the 3. cojugation called Inchoative
> verbs with a -sc - element. The Italian verb Conoscere, I assume
> belongs to that group.
>
> But what is the origin of the element -isc in the Italian 3.
> cojugation and elswere in the romance languages. Is it simply the
> inchoative element from Latin that has analogically been transformed
> to other places? Does anyone know?
>
> This element, as far as I know has its origine back to PIE, where it
> was used to form Iterative verbs, I think. Does anyone know somewhat
> more of the prehistory of this element.
>
> In either case, If the -isc-element in romance, indeed originates
> from the Latin inchoative element, this is a funny example of a very
> old element that has got an intresting renessance in modern
> languages.