Coptic Interference in the Syntax of Greek Letters from Egypt

Early Byzantine Greek in Egypt was a bilingual country, with Greek and Egyptian (Coptic) used alongside each other. Coptic Interference in the Syntax of Greek Letters from Egypt analyzes the syntax of early Byzantine Greek texts from Egypt to describe the linguistic traces left behind by language contact. The study is based on a corpus of Greek and Coptic private letters on papyrus from the fourth to mid-seventh centuries.

Format: Hardback
Length: 560 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

In the early Byzantine era, Egypt was a bilingual nation where Greek and Egyptian (Coptic) coexisted side by side. Extensive historical research and linguistic analysis of the phonology and lexicon of early Byzantine Greek in Egypt provide evidence of this linguistic landscape. To understand the linguistic imprint that language contact left on individuals' linguistic output, Coptic Interference in the Syntax of Greek Letters from Egypt delves into the syntax of early Byzantine Greek texts originating from Egypt. The primary focus of this study lies in examining bilingual interference in various aspects of grammar, including verb syntax, adverbial phrases, clause linkage, semi-formulaic expressions, and formulaic frames.

The foundation of this study is a corpus of Greek and Coptic private letters on papyrus, dating from the fourth to mid-seventh centuries. These letters originate from Egypt and are part of bilingual Greek-Coptic papyrus archives. By analyzing these letters, researchers can gain insights into the linguistic interactions and adaptations that occurred between Greek and Coptic speakers in the Byzantine era.

One notable aspect of Coptic interference in the syntax of Greek letters is the influence it had on the formation of verb tenses and moods. Coptic speakers, who were accustomed to a different grammatical system, often introduced Coptic-specific features into their Greek writing. For example, they may have used Coptic forms of verbs to express past tense or future tense, or they may have used Coptic moods to convey different emotional states. These Coptic influences can be seen in the syntax of early Byzantine Greek letters, where Coptic forms and moods are interspersed with Greek counterparts.

Another area of study is the influence of Coptic on the morphology of Greek words. Coptic speakers often modified Greek words to fit their own grammatical system or to convey specific meanings. For instance, they may have added prefixes or suffixes to Greek words to create new Coptic forms or to emphasize certain aspects of the word. These morphological adaptations can be observed in the syntax of early Byzantine Greek letters, where Coptic-specific morphological features are present alongside Greek forms.

Furthermore, Coptic interference in the syntax of Greek letters extended to the formation of adverbial phrases and clause linkage. Coptic speakers may have used Coptic-specific adverbs or conjunctions to enhance the meaning or clarity of their sentences. Similarly, they may have employed Coptic clause structures to convey different grammatical functions or to emphasize certain aspects of the text. These Coptic influences can be seen in the syntax of early Byzantine Greek letters, where Coptic-specific adverbial phrases and clause linkage patterns are present alongside Greek counterparts.

In conclusion, the study of Coptic Interference in the Syntax of Greek Letters from Egypt provides valuable insights into the linguistic interactions and adaptations that occurred between Greek and Coptic speakers in the early Byzantine era. By examining the syntax of early Byzantine Greek letters from Egypt, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the complex linguistic landscape that characterized this period. This study not only contributes to our knowledge of the history of language contact but also sheds light on the ways in which languages evolve and adapt over time.

Weight: 994g
Dimension: 240 x 164 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192869173