Word Order and Information Structure in Finite Verb Clauses in Hellenistic Period Hebrew by Andrew R. Jones a Thesis Submitted I
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Word Order and Information Structure in Finite Verb Clauses in Hellenistic Period Hebrew by Andrew R. Jones A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations University of Toronto © Copyright by Andrew R. Jones (2015) Word Order and Information Structure in Finite Verb Clauses in Hellenistic Period Hebrew Ph.D. 2015 Andrew R. Jones Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations University of Toronto This study investigates the relationship between word order and information structure in finite verb clauses in four ancient Hebrew texts from among the Dead Sea Scrolls—the Community Rule, the War Rule, and the Habakkuk Pesher. An excursus provides a separate treatment of Daniel 8–12. The theoretical linguistic foundations of the study are rooted in generative linguistics, especially the work of J. Uriagereka and N. Erteschik-Shir. The Early Immediate Constituent Theory of J. Hawkins also plays an important role. The emphasis is on syntactic structures where word order is flexible in order to investigate the effect of variation on information structure. The basic word order of subject and verb is indeterminate, and therefore it is not possible to know whether SV or VS order is marked (although the tendencies of each order are nonetheless clear). However, it is simple to determine that the basic word order of verb and object is VO. Deviations from the basic VO order can be explained using three structures: left-dislocation of a shift topic; fronting of a Topic (whether a shift topic, contrastive constituent, or restrictive constituent); and fronting of a non-Topic (whether a cleft constituent or a constituent that opens the clause-final attentive focus position for a different constituent). The largest clause-level constituent is normally placed in clause- final position in order to satisfy the EICT. ii Acknowledgements I am grateful to many without whom this dissertation would not have been possible. From our first meeting my advisor Robert Holmstedt has been my primary source of counsel and encouragement. His high standard for rigorous scholarship and his pleasant and generous manner of advising without overdirecting laid the foundation for this work. In my work here- in I stand upon his shoulders. I also must warmly thank my committee members Sarianna Metso and Diane Massam. Dr. Metso treated my project with the utmost care, reviewing my work in detail at an early stage and setting the project on a solid course with her thoughtful and crucial feedback. Dr. Massam introduced me to generative linguistics and then patiently and expertly guided me through those difficult waters. I also offer thanks to my examination committee members Ju- dith Newman and Elan Dresher, who provided very thought-provoking and useful feedback, and to my external appraiser, Moshe Bar-Asher, whose comments were most encouraging and helpful. I owe a special debt of gratitude to Hindy Najman, who supervised my collaborative program with Jewish Studies and helped me consider the significance and implications of my work in broader contexts. I am also deeply indebted to all who have guided me in my study of the Hebrew language, especially Joseph Lam, Phil Long, David Clemens, Bruce Waltke, Iain Provan, Ted Lutz, Sarianna Metso, Tirzah Meacham, and Dr. Holmstedt, as well as all of my Hebrew students along the way. They prepared me very well for this task, and any errors in the work are my own responsibility. iii This project was only possible due to the generous support of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, and I am extremely grateful to them. The Universi- ty of Toronto and its Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations, with their first- class faculty, staff, and facilities, provided a marvelous home for the pursuit of doctoral stud- ies, as well as generous financial support. I also received support for summer research in Jerusalem through the Andrea and Charles Bronfman Award in Israeli Studies. While in Jerusalem, the École biblique, the He- brew University of Jerusalem, and the Hebrew Language Academy were most excellent hosts, providing an ideal atmostphere for me to pursue my studies. I am also grateful for feedback both positive and critical of my work by colleagues and friends in Hebrew and religious studies, and so I extend my thanks especially to Shawn Flynn, Krzysztof Baranowski, R. Chris Stone, John Screnock, Jonathan Vroom, Mark Gra- ham, and Anthony Meyer. Finally, I thank my family, for whom I am very fortunate indeed. My parents, Lyle and Diane, have supported and encouraged me through every part of this process. My children, Chloe and Nora, have provided me with the inspiration to continue the work when the task seemed impossible. Most of all, I thank my true love, my wife Whitney, for always standing alongside me. iv In memory of my grandmother, Edreld Massel 1925–2013 v Table of Contents 1. Introduction............................................................................................................................1 1.1. Preliminaries .....................................................................................................................1 1.2. Previous Studies of Word Order in Hellenistic Period Hebrew........................................4 1.3. Generative Linguistic Framework ....................................................................................7 1.4. Corpus of Study ................................................................................................................8 1.4.1. Texts.............................................................................................................................8 1.4.2. Language....................................................................................................................13 1.4.3. Clause Type................................................................................................................14 1.4.4. Genre..........................................................................................................................15 1.4.5. Fragmentary Clauses..................................................................................................16 1.4.6. Boundaries of the Corpus...........................................................................................19 1.5. Overview.........................................................................................................................20 2. Theoretical Linguistic Foundations .....................................................................................22 2.1. Word Order Typology.....................................................................................................22 2.2. Generative Linguistics and Word Order .........................................................................24 2.2.1. The Minimalist Program ............................................................................................26 2.2.2. The Linear Correspondence Axiom...........................................................................31 2.2.3. Multiple Spell-out ......................................................................................................35 2.2.4. Hellenistic Period Hebrew .........................................................................................50 2.3. Early Immediate Constituent Theory..............................................................................59 2.4. Information Structure......................................................................................................69 2.4.1. Defining Topic and Focus..........................................................................................69 2.4.2. F(ocus)-structure ........................................................................................................77 2.4.3. Contrastive and Restrictive Elements ........................................................................80 2.4.4. The Architecture of Information Structure ................................................................83 2.4.4.1. Integrating F-structure with MP: The PF Domain ................................................83 2.4.4.2. Integrating F-structure with the LCA and MSO ...................................................88 2.4.4.3. Configurational and Non-configurational Languages...........................................92 2.4.4.4. Types and Functions of IS-related Movement ......................................................93 2.5. Comparing F(ocus)-structure with IS Theories for Biblical Hebrew ...........................104 2.5.1. Definition of Topic...................................................................................................104 2.5.2. Definition of Focus ..................................................................................................107 3. Research Methodology ......................................................................................................112 3.1. Identifying Basic and Marked Word Order ..................................................................112 3.1.1. Developing a Hypothesis about Basic and Marked Word Order.............................112 3.1.1.1. Criteria: Clause Type, Frequency, Distribution, and Pragmatics........................113 3.1.1.2. Triggered Inversion Typology ............................................................................116 3.1.1.3. Modal Verbs........................................................................................................116