Re: [tied] Re: PIE Punctual and Durative

----- Original Message -----

From: tgpedersen

To: cybalist@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, December 27, 2006 5:09 PM

Subject: [tied] Re: PIE Punctual and Durative

> > >
> > > It is my view that earliest PIE had two verbal stems:
> > >
> > > punctual: *bhér-
> > > durative: *bheré-
> > >
> > > both derived from *bhere-.
> > >
> > > I presume that many on the list would disagree.
> >
> > We might contend your reasons for maintaining that view, if we
> > knew what they were.
>
> I have explained my reasons for this _many_ times on this list.

Please remind me what they are.

***

The result of *bheré- is a thematic stem.

In at least three forms, where we should expect a primarily durative meaning, we find thematic stems:

imperative: *bhere

present: *bhereti (almost everyone  considers *-i an independent element)

imperfect: *He-bheret (almost everyone considers *He- an independent element, indicating non-present time)

These are matched by athematic (punctual):

imperative: *bher-

injunctive: *bhert

aorist: *He-bhert

***

<snip>

  
> My own view is that *-s(V) was an independent formative with the
> base meaning of 'single', and that, at least originally, it was
> added to lexically durative verbs _only_ to produce a _lexical_
> punctual verb.
>

I think some lexical stems were produced from the subitive stem.

<snip>

 > Well said. Now, how would you distinguish between a durative and
> punctual situation?

I don't think *I* would. I think they are Kantian a priori categories.

Torsten

***

Well, I have an idea that does not require philosophy.

I believe that the verbal idea that follows a durative is interpreted as co-occurring; what follows a punctual is sequential.

 

Patrick

***