Semitic languages constitute a promising field of research for the study of the middle voice. Aramaic is particularly intriguing in that its modern varieties – more precisely, a number of North-Eastern Neo-Aramaic dialects – illustrate the consequences of the loss of the stems with prefix et- attested in earlier stages of Aramaic, which convey a reflexive-middle voice meaning. In this paper a comparison is proposed between the verbal constructions with 3rd feminine pronominal object traced in the Jewish Neo-Aramaic dialect of Koy Sanjaq and a special class of Italian verbs, whose transitivity is neutralized by a 3rd feminine pronominal object. In both languages – which are neither genetically nor geographically related – the semantics of middle voice and its close connection with intransitivity are crucial in trying to understand the function of these verbal constructions.

Middle Markers: Neo-Aramaic and Italian verbal forms with a 3rd singular feminine pronominal object

MENGOZZI, Alessandro
2007-01-01

Abstract

Semitic languages constitute a promising field of research for the study of the middle voice. Aramaic is particularly intriguing in that its modern varieties – more precisely, a number of North-Eastern Neo-Aramaic dialects – illustrate the consequences of the loss of the stems with prefix et- attested in earlier stages of Aramaic, which convey a reflexive-middle voice meaning. In this paper a comparison is proposed between the verbal constructions with 3rd feminine pronominal object traced in the Jewish Neo-Aramaic dialect of Koy Sanjaq and a special class of Italian verbs, whose transitivity is neutralized by a 3rd feminine pronominal object. In both languages – which are neither genetically nor geographically related – the semantics of middle voice and its close connection with intransitivity are crucial in trying to understand the function of these verbal constructions.
2007
Atti
Rubbettino
105
115
9788849819564
Alessandro Mengozzi
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/102991
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