[tied] Re: PIE Punctual and Durative

> 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

Personally I don't think it's a good idea to place too much semantic
load on the distinction athematic/thematic. We find this distinction
in both verbs and nouns, we know how thematics with fixed stress (stem
or thematic vowel) were made from athematics with mobile stress, it
makes sense then like Schmalstieg to derive thematic verbs with fixed
stress (stem or thematic vowel) from semi-thematics with mobile stress.


Torsten