Micro-field of Verbal Plurality in Latin

doi:10.26565/2227-1864-2024-95-15

Bohdan Cherniukh Ivan Franko National University of L’viv https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0927-0512

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26565/2227-1864-2024-95-15

Keywords: Latin language, aspectuality, functional-semantic field, verbal plurality, iterativity, multiplicativity, distributivity

Abstract

The presented research deals with one of the components of the functional-semantic field of aspectuality namely the microfield of verbal plurality.

Despite the fact that verbal plurality is the subject of numerous studies, it has not been analyzed on the material of the Latin language, which determines the relevance of the study.

Within the framework of the aforementioned microfield, the analysis made it possible to single out the semantic zones of iterativity, multiplicativity, and distributivity. The presence of a certain number of similar acts separated by a time interval, the identity of actants and situations are characteristic features of iterativity with its subspecies refactivity, rarity and exaggerativity. Refactivity indicates a single repetition of a situation, realized at the word-forming level with the help of the prefix re- or the single use of the adverbs like rursum, iterum. Rarity and exaggerativity are scalar values, denoting situations whose frequency is lower or higher than expected.

Multiplicativity implies the repetition of the same type of situation with the same set of actants in one time interval without intervals between its “quanta”, as a result of which the situation is presented as continuous within the time interval. A type of multiplicativity is habituality to expres habitual situations, which are considered as a characteristic feature of the subject. Usitativity is distinguished as a subtype of habituality to characterize habitual situations existing under certain conditions.

Distributivity involves the performance of an action by one of a set of actants and, depending on the sphere of distribution of the situation. Its subspecies are subjective, objective, locative, subversive and cislocative distributivity.

The existence of certain semantic differences between iterativity, multiplicativity, and distributivity gives reason to consider them as subfields united within the microfield of verbal plurality by the sign of quantification. All of them are characterized by an identical set of markers, with lexical ones dominating. An extremely important role in the formation of verba plurality belongs to the context, which is decisive in the absence of formal means of expression.

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Author Biography

Bohdan Cherniukh, Ivan Franko National University of L’viv

Doctor of Philology, Professor of the Department of Classical Philology

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