Typo:

> i.e. that who the action is also affected by it.

I meant, "i.e. that the one who performs the action is also the one who is affected by it".

--- In norse_course@yahoogroups.com, 600cell@... wrote:
>
> Hi, Alec,
>
> Some authors, such as those of Old Norse Online, use the term "reflexive" in a morphological sense, and talk about "the reflexive forms of verbs" or "the reflexive suffix". In that sense, yes, the ending makes the verb reflexive by definition.
>
> But "reflexive" can also refer to a semantic property: the idea that the object of the verb has the same referent as the subject, i.e. that who the action is also affected by it. I think that's what you're getrting at? In that sense, the verb in your example is not exactly reflexive. Rather, the -isk serves to turn the active verb <fjölga> "make more numerous" into the middle voice (also called medio-passive) <fjölgask> "become more numerous".
>
> There's a nice explanation in section 39.2:
> http://www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/lrc/eieol/norol-8-X.html#Nor08_GP39_02
>
> Beware that other authors may use the terms "middle voice" and "medio-passive" in the morphological sense, to refer to the suffixed verb forms, without regard to the semantic role it plays.
>
> LN
>
>
>
> --- In norse_course@yahoogroups.com, CalecM@ wrote:
> >
> > In Old Norse Online, the phrase from Snorri's edda "fjolgathisk theira
> > kynslooth" is translated as "their progeny multiplied."
> >
> > Doesn't the -isk ending make that verb reflexive?
> >
> > Thx
> > Alec
> >
>