Kylie Richardson
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199291960
- eISBN:
- 9780191710551
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199291960.003.0006
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology
This chapter summarizes the main syntactic claims in the book, namely that the accusative case is linked to the status of ν as [quantized] (a feature which signals that the event structure of a ...
More
This chapter summarizes the main syntactic claims in the book, namely that the accusative case is linked to the status of ν as [quantized] (a feature which signals that the event structure of a ‘base’ verb is compositional), and the instrumental case on a predicate in East Slavic is the morphological manifestation of a [+bounded] aspectual phrase in the syntax.Less
This chapter summarizes the main syntactic claims in the book, namely that the accusative case is linked to the status of ν as [quantized] (a feature which signals that the event structure of a ‘base’ verb is compositional), and the instrumental case on a predicate in East Slavic is the morphological manifestation of a [+bounded] aspectual phrase in the syntax.
Arsalan Kahnemuyipour
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- September 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199219230
- eISBN:
- 9780191711800
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199219230.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology, Phonetics / Phonology
This book explores the nature of sentential stress, how it is assigned, and its interaction with information structure. The central thesis is that the position of sentential or nuclear stress — the ...
More
This book explores the nature of sentential stress, how it is assigned, and its interaction with information structure. The central thesis is that the position of sentential or nuclear stress — the element with the highest prominence in the sentence — is determined syntactically and that cross-linguistic differences in this respect follow from syntactic variations. In particular, it is proposed that the Sentential Stress Rule applies in a phase-based manner (Chomsky 2000, 2001, and subsequent work) and assigns stress to the highest element in the spelled out constituent. An additional rule, namely the Focus Stress Rule, which also applies in a phase-based manner, is proposed to handle the interaction between sentential structure and information structure. Sentential stress is thus determined in an interplay between two components, the default Sentential Stress Rule and the Focus Stress Rule. The book provides several arguments in favor of this two-component system.Less
This book explores the nature of sentential stress, how it is assigned, and its interaction with information structure. The central thesis is that the position of sentential or nuclear stress — the element with the highest prominence in the sentence — is determined syntactically and that cross-linguistic differences in this respect follow from syntactic variations. In particular, it is proposed that the Sentential Stress Rule applies in a phase-based manner (Chomsky 2000, 2001, and subsequent work) and assigns stress to the highest element in the spelled out constituent. An additional rule, namely the Focus Stress Rule, which also applies in a phase-based manner, is proposed to handle the interaction between sentential structure and information structure. Sentential stress is thus determined in an interplay between two components, the default Sentential Stress Rule and the Focus Stress Rule. The book provides several arguments in favor of this two-component system.
Carolyne Larrington
- Published in print:
- 1993
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780198119821
- eISBN:
- 9780191671210
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198119821.001.0001
- Subject:
- Literature, Poetry
This is a comparative study of Old Icelandic and Old English wisdom poetry. It examines problems of form, unity, and coherence, and how the genre responds to social change, both reflecting and ...
More
This is a comparative study of Old Icelandic and Old English wisdom poetry. It examines problems of form, unity, and coherence, and how the genre responds to social change, both reflecting and shaping the thinking of the communities that originate it. The author analyses the differences between the pagan wisdom of Norse, ranging through everyday practical advice, rune magic, and spells, and the Christian, socially oriented ideals of Old English wisdom poetry, strongly rooted in Christian concepts of ‘natural’ order and hierarchy in God’s Creation. Close reading in primary texts, both runic and magical, lays bare the skilful, structural integration of pragmatic, social wisdom with other kinds of knowledge. The book explores the possibility of Christian influence on Norse texts and demonstrates the impact of Christian learning on the ancient pagan genre. The existence of a gnomic ‘key’ in Norse and English narrative verse is also shown. Far from being platitudinous moralizing, the wisdom poets of the two literatures reveal themselves as comic, ironic, dramatic, and grandiose by turns, exploring a gamut of themes unequalled in any other genre of the period.Less
This is a comparative study of Old Icelandic and Old English wisdom poetry. It examines problems of form, unity, and coherence, and how the genre responds to social change, both reflecting and shaping the thinking of the communities that originate it. The author analyses the differences between the pagan wisdom of Norse, ranging through everyday practical advice, rune magic, and spells, and the Christian, socially oriented ideals of Old English wisdom poetry, strongly rooted in Christian concepts of ‘natural’ order and hierarchy in God’s Creation. Close reading in primary texts, both runic and magical, lays bare the skilful, structural integration of pragmatic, social wisdom with other kinds of knowledge. The book explores the possibility of Christian influence on Norse texts and demonstrates the impact of Christian learning on the ancient pagan genre. The existence of a gnomic ‘key’ in Norse and English narrative verse is also shown. Far from being platitudinous moralizing, the wisdom poets of the two literatures reveal themselves as comic, ironic, dramatic, and grandiose by turns, exploring a gamut of themes unequalled in any other genre of the period.
Stanley Wells
- Published in print:
- 1984
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780198129349
- eISBN:
- 9780191671777
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198129349.001.0001
- Subject:
- Literature, Shakespeare Studies
Should Shakespeare's plays be presented in the spelling and punctuation of the early editions, or should these features of the text be modernized? What are the advantages and disadvantages of either ...
More
Should Shakespeare's plays be presented in the spelling and punctuation of the early editions, or should these features of the text be modernized? What are the advantages and disadvantages of either procedure? When error is suspected in these texts, what kinds of correction can be attempted? How can Shakespeare's plays, written for the theatre and first printed with inadequate stage directions, best be presented for the reader? When texts survive in two versions, one close to the point of composition, the other reflecting performance by Shakespeare's company, which should the editor prefer? Can fresh thought about a play's staging affect its text? These are among the questions raised and discussed by this book. Welcoming the major advances in the bibliographical study of Shakespeare in recent years, the book is concerned with the practical problems of putting the result of such study into editorial effect. In a detailed investigation of the relationship between dialogue and stage action in Act One of Titus Andronicus, the book brings the reader close to Shakespeare in the act of creation; a conjectured reconstruction of Shakespeare's first draft of the Act is included.Less
Should Shakespeare's plays be presented in the spelling and punctuation of the early editions, or should these features of the text be modernized? What are the advantages and disadvantages of either procedure? When error is suspected in these texts, what kinds of correction can be attempted? How can Shakespeare's plays, written for the theatre and first printed with inadequate stage directions, best be presented for the reader? When texts survive in two versions, one close to the point of composition, the other reflecting performance by Shakespeare's company, which should the editor prefer? Can fresh thought about a play's staging affect its text? These are among the questions raised and discussed by this book. Welcoming the major advances in the bibliographical study of Shakespeare in recent years, the book is concerned with the practical problems of putting the result of such study into editorial effect. In a detailed investigation of the relationship between dialogue and stage action in Act One of Titus Andronicus, the book brings the reader close to Shakespeare in the act of creation; a conjectured reconstruction of Shakespeare's first draft of the Act is included.
Manfred Görlach
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199273102
- eISBN:
- 9780191706271
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199273102.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Historical Linguistics, English Language
This book charts the English invasion of Europe since 1945. Sixteen contributors report on the English words and phrases that have become integral parts of their languages. Each describes the effect ...
More
This book charts the English invasion of Europe since 1945. Sixteen contributors report on the English words and phrases that have become integral parts of their languages. Each describes the effect of English on the host language, and shows how the process of incorporation often modifies pronunciation and spelling and frequently transforms meaning and use. The languages surveyed are Icelandic, Dutch, French, Spanish, Norwegian, German, Italian, Romanian, Polish, Croatian, Finnish, Albanian, Russian, Bulgarian, Hungarian, and Greek. This book provides a systematic survey of a phenomenon that is fascinating, alarming, and apparently unstoppable.Less
This book charts the English invasion of Europe since 1945. Sixteen contributors report on the English words and phrases that have become integral parts of their languages. Each describes the effect of English on the host language, and shows how the process of incorporation often modifies pronunciation and spelling and frequently transforms meaning and use. The languages surveyed are Icelandic, Dutch, French, Spanish, Norwegian, German, Italian, Romanian, Polish, Croatian, Finnish, Albanian, Russian, Bulgarian, Hungarian, and Greek. This book provides a systematic survey of a phenomenon that is fascinating, alarming, and apparently unstoppable.
Stanley Wells
- Published in print:
- 1984
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780198129349
- eISBN:
- 9780191671777
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198129349.003.0001
- Subject:
- Literature, Shakespeare Studies
The four chapters of this book are concerned with the presentation as well as with the establishing of Shakespeare's text. The first two look at verbal details of that text, the second two at matters ...
More
The four chapters of this book are concerned with the presentation as well as with the establishing of Shakespeare's text. The first two look at verbal details of that text, the second two at matters of staging. They address questions such as the justification for modernizing the spelling and punctuation of the early printings of the plays, the need to re-examine traditional emendations, and the propriety and techniques of adding to and altering their original stage directions. Many editions of Shakespeare are now available to the modern reader. But many people keep thinking hard about Shakespeare and, more generally, about various aspects of the time in which he lived. There are new editions that are in modern spelling: there was no edition of the complete works in their original spelling and punctuation.Less
The four chapters of this book are concerned with the presentation as well as with the establishing of Shakespeare's text. The first two look at verbal details of that text, the second two at matters of staging. They address questions such as the justification for modernizing the spelling and punctuation of the early printings of the plays, the need to re-examine traditional emendations, and the propriety and techniques of adding to and altering their original stage directions. Many editions of Shakespeare are now available to the modern reader. But many people keep thinking hard about Shakespeare and, more generally, about various aspects of the time in which he lived. There are new editions that are in modern spelling: there was no edition of the complete works in their original spelling and punctuation.
Juan Uriagereka
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- January 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199593521
- eISBN:
- 9780191731402
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199593521.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Psycholinguistics / Neurolinguistics / Cognitive Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology
Since Juan Uriagereka originated the multiple spell-out model in 1999 it has been one of the most influential lines of research in syntactic theorizing. The model simplified a crucial element of the ...
More
Since Juan Uriagereka originated the multiple spell-out model in 1999 it has been one of the most influential lines of research in syntactic theorizing. The model simplified a crucial element of the minimalist account of language making it a more accurate reflection of syntax and its acquisition. This book explores important consequences of the multiple spell-out hypothesis and of the linked notion of cyclicity. It combines the latest thinking in linguistics with perspectives drawn from physics, biology, and animal behaviour, aiming thereby to advance the field first described by Noam Chomsky as biolinguistics. Without simplifying, this book seeks to present the issues and their broader biological significance. The subjects discussed include the linearization of structure, the punctuated nature of a derivation (the multiple spell-out model), cyclicity and its consequences for locality, and the definition of c-command and its relevance to various types of grammatical dependency. The book discusses the evolutionary implications of Uriagereka's work, considering, for example, whether the punctuated nature of the derivation is a resolution of conflicting demands that yield an equilibrium found in nature more generally.Less
Since Juan Uriagereka originated the multiple spell-out model in 1999 it has been one of the most influential lines of research in syntactic theorizing. The model simplified a crucial element of the minimalist account of language making it a more accurate reflection of syntax and its acquisition. This book explores important consequences of the multiple spell-out hypothesis and of the linked notion of cyclicity. It combines the latest thinking in linguistics with perspectives drawn from physics, biology, and animal behaviour, aiming thereby to advance the field first described by Noam Chomsky as biolinguistics. Without simplifying, this book seeks to present the issues and their broader biological significance. The subjects discussed include the linearization of structure, the punctuated nature of a derivation (the multiple spell-out model), cyclicity and its consequences for locality, and the definition of c-command and its relevance to various types of grammatical dependency. The book discusses the evolutionary implications of Uriagereka's work, considering, for example, whether the punctuated nature of the derivation is a resolution of conflicting demands that yield an equilibrium found in nature more generally.
Michael McCloskey
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- May 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780195168693
- eISBN:
- 9780199871513
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195168693.003.0005
- Subject:
- Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology
This chapter discusses AH's spelling impairment, suggesting that AH's severely impaired spelling may be a nonobvious consequence of her perceptual deficit. Visual perception of location and ...
More
This chapter discusses AH's spelling impairment, suggesting that AH's severely impaired spelling may be a nonobvious consequence of her perceptual deficit. Visual perception of location and orientation, although not required for performing a spelling task, is crucial for learning to spell: Experience with visually presented words plays a central role in acquisition of lexical-orthographic representations and sublexical sound-spelling correspondences. AH's deficit in visual location and orientation perception may therefore have disrupted her ability to acquire these forms of knowledge as a child and, hence, impaired her ability to spell as an adult.Less
This chapter discusses AH's spelling impairment, suggesting that AH's severely impaired spelling may be a nonobvious consequence of her perceptual deficit. Visual perception of location and orientation, although not required for performing a spelling task, is crucial for learning to spell: Experience with visually presented words plays a central role in acquisition of lexical-orthographic representations and sublexical sound-spelling correspondences. AH's deficit in visual location and orientation perception may therefore have disrupted her ability to acquire these forms of knowledge as a child and, hence, impaired her ability to spell as an adult.
Hedley Bull, Benedict Kingsbury, and Adam Roberts (eds)
- Published in print:
- 1992
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198277712
- eISBN:
- 9780191598890
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0198277717.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, International Relations and Politics
Hugo Grotius (1583–1645), ‘the miracle of Holland’, was famous as a child prodigy, theologian, historian, poet, jurist, Dutch political figure, escaped political prisoner, and finally as Sweden's ...
More
Hugo Grotius (1583–1645), ‘the miracle of Holland’, was famous as a child prodigy, theologian, historian, poet, jurist, Dutch political figure, escaped political prisoner, and finally as Sweden's ambassador to France. He is especially known for his major books on international law and practice, Mare Liberum (1609) and De Jure Belli ac Pacis (1625).This book critically reappraises his contributions both to international law (called ‘the law of nations’ in his day) and to international relations. His contributions are examined in relation to his predecessors and in the context of the wars and controversies of his time. This book also assesses the strengths and weaknesses of what is often called a ‘Grotian tradition’ of thought about international law and relations—one which accepts the sovereignty of states, but at the same time stresses the existence of shared values and the necessity of rules.This collection illuminates enduring problems of international relations: the nature of international society and its institutions, the equality of states, the role of natural law, the lawfulness of war (jus ad bellum), the means of pursuing war (jus in bello), collective security, military intervention, the rights of the individual, and the law of the sea.While first and foremost a study in the field of international relations, this is also a significant contribution to the history and theory of international law; and to the history of the early seventeenth century, when the Dutch Republic, and the European states system generally, were emerging in their modern forms, and when the Thirty Years War impressed on Grotius and others the need for restraint in war.Less
Hugo Grotius (1583–1645), ‘the miracle of Holland’, was famous as a child prodigy, theologian, historian, poet, jurist, Dutch political figure, escaped political prisoner, and finally as Sweden's ambassador to France. He is especially known for his major books on international law and practice, Mare Liberum (1609) and De Jure Belli ac Pacis (1625).
This book critically reappraises his contributions both to international law (called ‘the law of nations’ in his day) and to international relations. His contributions are examined in relation to his predecessors and in the context of the wars and controversies of his time. This book also assesses the strengths and weaknesses of what is often called a ‘Grotian tradition’ of thought about international law and relations—one which accepts the sovereignty of states, but at the same time stresses the existence of shared values and the necessity of rules.
This collection illuminates enduring problems of international relations: the nature of international society and its institutions, the equality of states, the role of natural law, the lawfulness of war (jus ad bellum), the means of pursuing war (jus in bello), collective security, military intervention, the rights of the individual, and the law of the sea.
While first and foremost a study in the field of international relations, this is also a significant contribution to the history and theory of international law; and to the history of the early seventeenth century, when the Dutch Republic, and the European states system generally, were emerging in their modern forms, and when the Thirty Years War impressed on Grotius and others the need for restraint in war.
C. G. Roelofsen
- Published in print:
- 1992
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198277712
- eISBN:
- 9780191598890
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0198277717.003.0003
- Subject:
- Political Science, International Relations and Politics
Grotius’ major works, especially Mare Liberum and more subtly De Jure Belli ac Pacis, owe much to his political ambitions, and also to his experience of public affairs. A protégé of Johan van ...
More
Grotius’ major works, especially Mare Liberum and more subtly De Jure Belli ac Pacis, owe much to his political ambitions, and also to his experience of public affairs. A protégé of Johan van Oldenbarnevelt and supporter of the position of the Dutch East India Company, Grotius was successively pensionary of Rotterdam (1613–18), in prison at Loewenstein (Loevestein) Castle (1619–21), and in exile (1621–45). Among the motives determining Grotius’ activities, his political aspirations played a constant and considerable role.Less
Grotius’ major works, especially Mare Liberum and more subtly De Jure Belli ac Pacis, owe much to his political ambitions, and also to his experience of public affairs. A protégé of Johan van Oldenbarnevelt and supporter of the position of the Dutch East India Company, Grotius was successively pensionary of Rotterdam (1613–18), in prison at Loewenstein (Loevestein) Castle (1619–21), and in exile (1621–45). Among the motives determining Grotius’ activities, his political aspirations played a constant and considerable role.
Edwin L. Battistella
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780195367126
- eISBN:
- 9780199867356
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195367126.003.0005
- Subject:
- Linguistics, English Language
Beginning with Cody advertising prospectus, this chapter examine the self‐correcting courses and its major themes—practical speaking, spelling and pronunciation, and punctuation. Included are some ...
More
Beginning with Cody advertising prospectus, this chapter examine the self‐correcting courses and its major themes—practical speaking, spelling and pronunciation, and punctuation. Included are some samples of Cody's lessons.Less
Beginning with Cody advertising prospectus, this chapter examine the self‐correcting courses and its major themes—practical speaking, spelling and pronunciation, and punctuation. Included are some samples of Cody's lessons.
Steven Franks
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199556861
- eISBN:
- 9780191722271
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199556861.003.0007
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology, Phonetics / Phonology
Minimalism reevaluates the division of labor between syntax and PF; much traditionally syntactic is actually a response to Spell–Out demands. This paper examines largely Slavic phenomena caused by ...
More
Minimalism reevaluates the division of labor between syntax and PF; much traditionally syntactic is actually a response to Spell–Out demands. This paper examines largely Slavic phenomena caused by Spell–out exigencies of (i) imposition of linear order on syntactically concatenated elements, (ii) determination of which copy to pronounce, and (iii) prosodification.Less
Minimalism reevaluates the division of labor between syntax and PF; much traditionally syntactic is actually a response to Spell–Out demands. This paper examines largely Slavic phenomena caused by Spell–out exigencies of (i) imposition of linear order on syntactically concatenated elements, (ii) determination of which copy to pronounce, and (iii) prosodification.
Jacques Anis
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780195304794
- eISBN:
- 9780199788248
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195304794.003.0004
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics
The abbreviated and often nonstandard orthography and grammar used in SMS messages have provoked the ire of language purists in France. This chapter presents a systematic linguistic analysis of ...
More
The abbreviated and often nonstandard orthography and grammar used in SMS messages have provoked the ire of language purists in France. This chapter presents a systematic linguistic analysis of neography in French SMS. Central to the study is the development of a typology of neographical transformations — involving phonetic reductions, syllabograms, and logograms — based on a corpus of examples. The analysis illuminates the heterogeneity, polyvalence, and high degree of variation in SMS spellings. Neography is proposed to be a dynamic phenomenon based on local combinations of general mechanisms, driven by natural linguistic and semiotic processes and produced under pressures from various constraints. Finally, SMS features are compared with those of other communication media and future directions for research are suggested to expand investigation to other alphabetical and nonalphabetical CMC phenomena.Less
The abbreviated and often nonstandard orthography and grammar used in SMS messages have provoked the ire of language purists in France. This chapter presents a systematic linguistic analysis of neography in French SMS. Central to the study is the development of a typology of neographical transformations — involving phonetic reductions, syllabograms, and logograms — based on a corpus of examples. The analysis illuminates the heterogeneity, polyvalence, and high degree of variation in SMS spellings. Neography is proposed to be a dynamic phenomenon based on local combinations of general mechanisms, driven by natural linguistic and semiotic processes and produced under pressures from various constraints. Finally, SMS features are compared with those of other communication media and future directions for research are suggested to expand investigation to other alphabetical and nonalphabetical CMC phenomena.
Victor Manfredi
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- May 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199560547
- eISBN:
- 9780191721267
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199560547.003.0019
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology, Historical Linguistics
Niger‐Congo's Kwa and Benue‐Congo zones, jointly covering most of tropical Africa, run between isolating and agglutinative types. Historical phonology finds few innovations above the local cluster, ...
More
Niger‐Congo's Kwa and Benue‐Congo zones, jointly covering most of tropical Africa, run between isolating and agglutinative types. Historical phonology finds few innovations above the local cluster, but assuming the phase theory of generative syntax, a clear division emerges based on the timing (early/VP vs late/TP) of PF‐Spell‐Out.Less
Niger‐Congo's Kwa and Benue‐Congo zones, jointly covering most of tropical Africa, run between isolating and agglutinative types. Historical phonology finds few innovations above the local cluster, but assuming the phase theory of generative syntax, a clear division emerges based on the timing (early/VP vs late/TP) of PF‐Spell‐Out.
B. Barry Levy
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- April 2004
- ISBN:
- 9780195141139
- eISBN:
- 9780199834945
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/019514113X.001.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Judaism
Many scholars and learned readers believe that rabbinic Judaism assumes a dogmatic commitment to the notion that the Bible text, particularly the Torah text, is letter perfect; orthodox Jews often ...
More
Many scholars and learned readers believe that rabbinic Judaism assumes a dogmatic commitment to the notion that the Bible text, particularly the Torah text, is letter perfect; orthodox Jews often accept this notion as fact, others, as normative rabbinic doctrine. This position developed over the centuries as an internal theological and interpretative posture and as a response to external pressures. These factors include rabbinic indifference to alternative forms of the Bible text recovered from pre‐rabbinic times or non‐rabbinic sources, attacks from Christians and Muslims who accused the Jews of falsifying the text or failing to transmit it accurately, and mystical Jewish teachings that saw in the Torah a divinely revealed and perfectly transmitted document whose letters were, in their entirety, a divine name. The assumption of letter‐perfect accuracy sustains much of the midrashic literature and has become a cornerstone of the postmodern fad of decoding the text to reveal alleged references to phenomena that occurred long after its books were written. This study, based on careful examination of hundreds of authoritative rabbinic writings, offers a very different picture of the Bible's textual reality and the rabbinic beliefs about it. Beginning with late antiquity and progressing throughout the subsequent ages, this book explores Talmudic, midrashic, medieval, Renaissance, and modern rabbinic texts that address the question of the letter‐perfect accuracy of the Bible text; it is particularly attentive to the writings of Rabbis Solomon ben Adret, Jacob ben Ibn Adoniyah, and David Ibn Zimra, as well as others who lived between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries. The documents analysed have been chosen from Bible commentaries, responsa, halakhic codes, guidebooks for scribes, studies of Bible manuscripts and the printed Bible, and many other rabbinic works. In presenting these sources, many translated here for the first time, the author explores the various rabbinic attempts to fix the Bible text—to correct it and to establish its authoritative spelling. He demonstrates conclusively that many of the same rabbinic figures whose teachings inform other contemporary Orthodox doctrines were quite open about the fact that their Bible texts, even their Torah scrolls, were not completely accurate. Moreover, though many of the variations are of little exegetical significance, these rabbis often acknowledged that, textually speaking, the situation was beyond repair.Less
Many scholars and learned readers believe that rabbinic Judaism assumes a dogmatic commitment to the notion that the Bible text, particularly the Torah text, is letter perfect; orthodox Jews often accept this notion as fact, others, as normative rabbinic doctrine. This position developed over the centuries as an internal theological and interpretative posture and as a response to external pressures. These factors include rabbinic indifference to alternative forms of the Bible text recovered from pre‐rabbinic times or non‐rabbinic sources, attacks from Christians and Muslims who accused the Jews of falsifying the text or failing to transmit it accurately, and mystical Jewish teachings that saw in the Torah a divinely revealed and perfectly transmitted document whose letters were, in their entirety, a divine name. The assumption of letter‐perfect accuracy sustains much of the midrashic literature and has become a cornerstone of the postmodern fad of decoding the text to reveal alleged references to phenomena that occurred long after its books were written. This study, based on careful examination of hundreds of authoritative rabbinic writings, offers a very different picture of the Bible's textual reality and the rabbinic beliefs about it. Beginning with late antiquity and progressing throughout the subsequent ages, this book explores Talmudic, midrashic, medieval, Renaissance, and modern rabbinic texts that address the question of the letter‐perfect accuracy of the Bible text; it is particularly attentive to the writings of Rabbis Solomon ben Adret, Jacob ben Ibn Adoniyah, and David Ibn Zimra, as well as others who lived between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries. The documents analysed have been chosen from Bible commentaries, responsa, halakhic codes, guidebooks for scribes, studies of Bible manuscripts and the printed Bible, and many other rabbinic works. In presenting these sources, many translated here for the first time, the author explores the various rabbinic attempts to fix the Bible text—to correct it and to establish its authoritative spelling. He demonstrates conclusively that many of the same rabbinic figures whose teachings inform other contemporary Orthodox doctrines were quite open about the fact that their Bible texts, even their Torah scrolls, were not completely accurate. Moreover, though many of the variations are of little exegetical significance, these rabbis often acknowledged that, textually speaking, the situation was beyond repair.
Ingrid Tieken‐Boon van Ostade
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199579273
- eISBN:
- 9780191595219
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199579273.003.0006
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Historical Linguistics, English Language
Subdivided into different categories of formality, Lowth's letters are analysed in this chapter to describe his communicative competence. Depending on the nature of his relationship with his ...
More
Subdivided into different categories of formality, Lowth's letters are analysed in this chapter to describe his communicative competence. Depending on the nature of his relationship with his addressees, Lowth's language (spelling, lexis) is shown to vary, to the extent that his use of non-standard spelling serves as an indication of intimacy.Less
Subdivided into different categories of formality, Lowth's letters are analysed in this chapter to describe his communicative competence. Depending on the nature of his relationship with his addressees, Lowth's language (spelling, lexis) is shown to vary, to the extent that his use of non-standard spelling serves as an indication of intimacy.
M. L. West
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199280759
- eISBN:
- 9780191712913
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199280759.003.0009
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Literary Studies: Classical, Early, and Medieval
This chapter discusses Indo-European hymns and spells. Topics covered include invocatory hymns, magic, charms, incantations, nine as a sacral number, herbs, maledictions, healing, and a combination ...
More
This chapter discusses Indo-European hymns and spells. Topics covered include invocatory hymns, magic, charms, incantations, nine as a sacral number, herbs, maledictions, healing, and a combination of myth and spell called ‘Legendenzauber’.Less
This chapter discusses Indo-European hymns and spells. Topics covered include invocatory hymns, magic, charms, incantations, nine as a sacral number, herbs, maledictions, healing, and a combination of myth and spell called ‘Legendenzauber’.
B. Barry Levy
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- April 2004
- ISBN:
- 9780195141139
- eISBN:
- 9780199834945
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/019514113X.003.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Judaism
The chapter is presented in two main parts. The first discusses the problem of whether or not it is possible to find or establish a letter‐perfect Torah text. The second looks at the subjection of ...
More
The chapter is presented in two main parts. The first discusses the problem of whether or not it is possible to find or establish a letter‐perfect Torah text. The second looks at the subjection of scribal practices to halakhic determinations. It is pointed out at the end of the chapter that many rabbinic leaders over time (and now) have recognized the imperfection of the Torah, despite the insistence of many religious Jews that it is letter perfect. Furthermore, the halakhic literature continues to refine the text that has been transmitted through the ages.Less
The chapter is presented in two main parts. The first discusses the problem of whether or not it is possible to find or establish a letter‐perfect Torah text. The second looks at the subjection of scribal practices to halakhic determinations. It is pointed out at the end of the chapter that many rabbinic leaders over time (and now) have recognized the imperfection of the Torah, despite the insistence of many religious Jews that it is letter perfect. Furthermore, the halakhic literature continues to refine the text that has been transmitted through the ages.
B. Barry Levy
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- April 2004
- ISBN:
- 9780195141139
- eISBN:
- 9780199834945
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/019514113X.003.0002
- Subject:
- Religion, Judaism
This chapter and Chapters 3–5 explore the principles that underlie medieval rankings of various types of halakhic evidence for deciding on a number of questionable spellings of the Torah text, ...
More
This chapter and Chapters 3–5 explore the principles that underlie medieval rankings of various types of halakhic evidence for deciding on a number of questionable spellings of the Torah text, including an important shift in ranking that received much support in the sixteenth century; they centre on a closely related group of four responsa (responses to questions) about the accuracy of the Bible text and closely related matters, by Rabbi David ben Solomon ibn Abi Zimra (popularly known in English as Ibn Zimra, and in Hebrew as HaRaDBaZ). A careful look at Ibn Zimra's responses offers an important glimpse into how a leading sixteenth‐century rabbinic authority evaluated his predecessors’ treatments of textual questions and ranked the conflicting witnesses to the spellings or orthographic irregularities of certain biblical words; it also clarifies the halakhic literature's overall approach to fixing the Bible text and reveals what appears to be a major inconsistency in Ibn Zimra's attitude towards the Masorah (the collective textual notes and other additions to the text of the Torah itself). Translations of each responsum are given, and an analysis made of the sources and nuances of their author's arguments, with observations on the relationships between these documents and other issues and compositions of masoretic and halakhic importance. The first responsum, which is covered in this chapter, discusses the propriety of changing a word in the Torah to conform with the spelling evidenced by the Zohar. Following the Zohar's midrashic exposition, several people had changed the spelling of the word ’tw (’oto ), ‘him’, to ’wtw in two places. .Less
This chapter and Chapters 3–5 explore the principles that underlie medieval rankings of various types of halakhic evidence for deciding on a number of questionable spellings of the Torah text, including an important shift in ranking that received much support in the sixteenth century; they centre on a closely related group of four responsa (responses to questions) about the accuracy of the Bible text and closely related matters, by Rabbi David ben Solomon ibn Abi Zimra (popularly known in English as Ibn Zimra, and in Hebrew as HaRaDBaZ). A careful look at Ibn Zimra's responses offers an important glimpse into how a leading sixteenth‐century rabbinic authority evaluated his predecessors’ treatments of textual questions and ranked the conflicting witnesses to the spellings or orthographic irregularities of certain biblical words; it also clarifies the halakhic literature's overall approach to fixing the Bible text and reveals what appears to be a major inconsistency in Ibn Zimra's attitude towards the Masorah (the collective textual notes and other additions to the text of the Torah itself). Translations of each responsum are given, and an analysis made of the sources and nuances of their author's arguments, with observations on the relationships between these documents and other issues and compositions of masoretic and halakhic importance. The first responsum, which is covered in this chapter, discusses the propriety of changing a word in the Torah to conform with the spelling evidenced by the Zohar. Following the Zohar's midrashic exposition, several people had changed the spelling of the word ’tw (’oto ), ‘him’, to ’wtw in two places. .
B. Barry Levy
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- April 2004
- ISBN:
- 9780195141139
- eISBN:
- 9780199834945
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/019514113X.003.0003
- Subject:
- Religion, Judaism
This chapter and Chapters 2 and 4–5 explore the principles that underlie medieval rankings of various types of halakhic evidence for deciding on a number of questionable spellings of the Torah text, ...
More
This chapter and Chapters 2 and 4–5 explore the principles that underlie medieval rankings of various types of halakhic evidence for deciding on a number of questionable spellings of the Torah text, including an important shift in ranking that received much support in the sixteenth century; they centre on a closely related group of four responsa (responses to questions) about the accuracy of the Bible text and closely related matters, by Rabbi David ben Solomon ibn Abi Zimra (popularly known in English as Ibn Zimra, and in Hebrew as HaRaDBaZ). A careful look at Ibn Zimra's responses offers an important glimpse into how a leading sixteenth‐century rabbinic authority evaluated his predecessors’ treatments of textual questions and ranked the conflicting witnesses to the spellings or orthographic irregularities of certain biblical words; it also clarifies the halakhic literature's overall approach to fixing the Bible text and reveals what appears to be a major inconsistency in Ibn Zimra's attitude towards the Masorah (the collective textual notes and other additions to the text of the Torah itself). Translations of each responsum are given, and an analysis made of the sources and nuances of their author's arguments, with observations on the relationships between these documents and other issues and compositions of masoretic and halakhic importance. The second responsum, which is covered in this chapter, shares much with some well‐known medieval polemical literature, and is an important statement on the origin and authority of the Masorah and the extent to which it should be used to determine the correct spelling of biblical words.Less
This chapter and Chapters 2 and 4–5 explore the principles that underlie medieval rankings of various types of halakhic evidence for deciding on a number of questionable spellings of the Torah text, including an important shift in ranking that received much support in the sixteenth century; they centre on a closely related group of four responsa (responses to questions) about the accuracy of the Bible text and closely related matters, by Rabbi David ben Solomon ibn Abi Zimra (popularly known in English as Ibn Zimra, and in Hebrew as HaRaDBaZ). A careful look at Ibn Zimra's responses offers an important glimpse into how a leading sixteenth‐century rabbinic authority evaluated his predecessors’ treatments of textual questions and ranked the conflicting witnesses to the spellings or orthographic irregularities of certain biblical words; it also clarifies the halakhic literature's overall approach to fixing the Bible text and reveals what appears to be a major inconsistency in Ibn Zimra's attitude towards the Masorah (the collective textual notes and other additions to the text of the Torah itself). Translations of each responsum are given, and an analysis made of the sources and nuances of their author's arguments, with observations on the relationships between these documents and other issues and compositions of masoretic and halakhic importance. The second responsum, which is covered in this chapter, shares much with some well‐known medieval polemical literature, and is an important statement on the origin and authority of the Masorah and the extent to which it should be used to determine the correct spelling of biblical words.
