Διάθεσις in the Τέχνη γραμματική Attributed to Dionysios Thrax and in the Περì συντάξεως by Apollonios Dyskolos A Comparative Analysis
Διάθεσις in the Τέχνη γραμματική Attributed to Dionysios Thrax and in the Περì συντάξεως by Apollonios Dyskolos A Comparative Analysis

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this paper is to attempt at conducting analysis of the meaning given to the word διάθεσιϚ in two most important grammatical texts written in ancient Greece, i.e. in the Τέχνη γραμματική attributed to Dionysios Thrax and in the treaty Περὶ συντάξεωϚ by Apollonios Dyskolos. The study leads to the conclusion that the meaning of that term occurring in both texts is quite difficult to find. Its ambiguity undoubtedly stems, at least to some extent, from real complexity of the matter it refers to. Apart from that, its vagueness results, on the one hand, from not sufficiently precise description of the criteria identifying the concepts related to that term, and from multitude and incoherence of those criteria, on the other. Due to those shortcomings, the designatum of that term, although close to the notion of the grammatical category of voice, is not quite equivalent to it. However, it reflects undoubtedly the way Alexandrian grammarians perceived the effects of the existence of that category in the grammatical system of the Greek language.

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