Herodian and the Greek language: rules of thumb for accenting Greek enclitics. Stephanie Roussou (a joint project with Philomen Probert)

Herodian and the Greek language: rules of thumb for accenting Greek enclitics Stephanie Roussou (a joint project with Philomen Probert)

What are enclitics? Enclitics are small words forming close-knit units with the preceding word and affecting its accentuation

Enclitics in Modern Greek Ο δάσκαλός μου Θύμισέ μου το Ο αδελφός μου

Enclitics in Ancient Greek (a) There are more enclitic words than in Modern Greek. (b) The preceding word is not simply a noun or verb as in Modern Greek.

Which words are enclitics in Ancient Greek? The personal pronouns: ΜΟΥ, ΜΟΙ, ΜΕ, ΣΟΥ, ΣΟΙ, ΣΕ, ΟΥ, ΟΙ, Ε, ΜΙΝ. The indefinite pronoun ΤΙΣ, ΤΙ in all cases. The indefinite adverbs ΠΟΥ, ΠΟΘΙ, ΠΗ, ΠΟΙ, ΠΟΘΕΝ, ΠΟΤΕ, ΠΩ, ΠΩΣ. All disyllabic forms of the present indicative of ΕΙΜΙ and ΦΗΜΙ. The particles ΓΕ, ΤΕ, ΚΕ, ΤΟΙ, ΠΕΡ, ΘΗΝ, ΝΥΝ.

Accenting sequences of enclitics The rule we usually learn: every enclitic in a sequence, except the last, gets an acute accent on its last syllable εἴ περ τις σε μοι φησιν ποτε

Accenting sequences of enclitics The rule we usually learn: every enclitic in a sequence, except the last, gets an acute accent on its last syllable εἴ πέρ τις σε μοι φησιν ποτε

Accenting sequences of enclitics The rule we usually learn: every enclitic in a sequence, except the last, gets an acute accent on its last syllable εἴ πέρ τίς σε μοι φησιν ποτε

Accenting sequences of enclitics The rule we usually learn: every enclitic in a sequence, except the last, gets an acute accent on its last syllable εἴ πέρ τίς σέ μοι φησιν ποτε

Accenting sequences of enclitics The rule we usually learn: every enclitic in a sequence, except the last, gets an acute accent on its last syllable εἴ πέρ τίς σέ μοί φησιν ποτε

Accenting sequences of enclitics The rule we usually learn: every enclitic in a sequence, except the last, gets an acute accent on its last syllable εἴ πέρ τίς σέ μοί φησίν ποτε

Doctrines on sequences of enclitics found in the ancient grammatical texts There are three rules: (1) The rule we usually learn: every enclitic except the last gets an accent on its last syllable Herodian and his Περὶ καθολικῆς προσῳδίας Pseudo-Arcadius Epitome of Herodian s Περὶ καθολικῆς προσῳδίας

Ἐὰν οὖν συμβῇ πλείονα ἐφεξῆς ἐγκλιτικὰ εἶναι, πολλαὶ ἔσονται αἱ παράλληλοι ὀξεῖαι, ὡς παρ Ὁμήρῳ ἤ νύ σέ που δέος ἴσχει ἀκήριον (Il. 5. 812). τρεῖς γάρ εἰσιν ἐφεξῆς αἱ ὀξεῖαι. δυνατὸν δὲ καὶ πλείονας ἐπινοῆσαι, οἷον εἴ πέρ τίς σέ μοί φησί ποτε. τὸ γὰρ εἰ ὀξύνεται διὰ τὴν ἐπιφορὰν τοῦ πέρ ἐγκλιτικοῦ τὸ δὲ πέρ διὰ τὸ τίς, τὸ δὲ τίς διὰ τὸ σέ, τὸ δὲ σέ διὰ τὸ μοί, τὸ δὲ μοί διὰ τὸ φησί, τὸ δὲ φησί διὰ τὸ ποτέ. ὥστε ἐφεξῆς εἶναι ἓξ ὀξείας, εἰ καὶ σπάνιον τὸ τοιοῦτον διὰ τὴν τοῦ πνεύματος συνέχειαν δεομένην ἀναπαύσεως. (Pseudo-Arcadius Epitome 167.16 168.2) If several enclitics happen to occur in a row, the consecutive acute accents will be many, as in Homer s ἤ νύ σέ που δέος ἴσχει ἀκήριον (Hom. Il. 5.812). For there are three acutes in a row. And it is possible to think of more, as in εἴ πέρ τίς σέ μοί φησί ποτε. For the ΕΙ has an acute because of the addition of the enclitic ΠΕΡ, and the ΠΕΡ because of the ΤΙΣ, and the ΤΙΣ because of the ΣΕ, and the ΣΕ because of the ΜΟΙ, and the ΜΟΙ because of the ΦΗΣΙ, and the ΦΗΣΙ because of the ΠΟΤΕ, with the result that there are six acutes even if this happens rarely, because of the fact that the continuity of the breath needs a break.

Doctrines on sequences of enclitics found in the ancient grammatical texts (2) The rule we usually learn, but with certain exceptions: ΠΟΥ, ΠΗ, ΠΩΣ, ΠΩ are left unaccented ἤ που τις σφιν

Doctrines on sequences of enclitics found in the ancient grammatical texts (2) The rule we usually learn, but with certain exceptions: ΠΟΥ, ΠΗ, ΠΩΣ, ΠΩ are left unaccented ἤ που τίς σφιν

Doctrines on sequences of enclitics found in the ancient grammatical texts (2) The rule we usually learn, but with certain exceptions: ΠΟΥ, ΠΗ, ΠΩΣ, ΠΩ are left unaccented ἄνθρωπόν τινα που φησι

Doctrines on sequences of enclitics found in the ancient grammatical texts (2) The rule we usually learn, but with certain exceptions: ΠΟΥ, ΠΗ, ΠΩΣ, ΠΩ are left unaccented ἄνθρωπόν τινά που φησι

Doctrines on sequences of enclitics found in the ancient grammatical texts (3) The rule we usually learn, but avoid putting two acute accents on consecutive syllables, unless they occur on a long syllable followed by a short syllable. αἴ κε ποθι

Doctrines on sequences of enclitics found in the ancient grammatical texts (3) The rule we usually learn, but avoid putting two acute accents on consecutive syllables, unless they occur on a long syllable followed by a short syllable. αἴ κέ ποθι

Doctrines on sequences of enclitics found in the ancient grammatical texts (3) The rule we usually learn, but avoid putting two acute accents on consecutive syllables, unless they occur on a long syllable followed by a short syllable. πῶς τις τοι

Doctrines on sequences of enclitics found in the ancient grammatical texts (3) The rule we usually learn, but avoid putting two acute accents on consecutive syllables, unless they occur on a long syllable followed by a short syllable. πῶς τίς τοι

Doctrines on sequences of enclitics found in the ancient grammatical texts There are reasons for thinking that all three rules we find in ancient texts go back to Herodian. But how is this possible when they are different? It turns out that they very often give the same result as each other.

(1) Usual rule (2) ΠΟΥ, ΠΗ, ΠΩΣ, ΠΩ are left unaccented (3) No acute accents on consecutive syllables, unless longshort αἴ κέν πως αἴ κέν πως αἴ κέν πως

(1) Usual rule (2) ΠΟΥ, ΠΗ, ΠΩΣ, ΠΩ are left unaccented (3) No acute accents on consecutive syllables, αἴ κέν πως εἴ ποτέ τοι αἴ κέν πως εἴ ποτέ τοι unless longshort αἴ κέν πως εἴ ποτέ τοι

(1) Usual rule (2) ΠΟΥ, ΠΗ, ΠΩΣ, ΠΩ are left unaccented (3) No acute accents on consecutive αἴ κέν πως εἴ ποτέ τοι οἵ κέ με αἴ κέν πως εἴ ποτέ τοι οἵ κέ με syllables, unless long-short αἴ κέν πως εἴ ποτέ τοι οἵ κέ με

(1) Usual rule (2) ΠΟΥ, ΠΗ, ΠΩΣ, ΠΩ are left unaccented (3) No acute accents on consecutive αἴ κέν πως εἴ ποτέ τοι οἵ κέ με αἴ κέν πως εἴ ποτέ τοι οἵ κέ με syllables, unless long-short αἴ κέν πως εἴ ποτέ τοι οἵ κέ με οὔ πώ τι οὔ πω τι οὔ πω τι

(1) Usual rule (2) ΠΟΥ, ΠΗ, ΠΩΣ, ΠΩ are left unaccented (3) No acute accents on consecutive syllables, unless long-short αἴ κέν πως εἴ ποτέ τοι οἵ κέ με οὔ πώ τι ἤ πού τίς σφιν αἴ κέν πως εἴ ποτέ τοι οἵ κέ με οὔ πω τι ἤ που τίς σφιν αἴ κέν πως εἴ ποτέ τοι οἵ κέ με οὔ πω τι ἤ που τίς σφιν

(1) Usual rule (2) ΠΟΥ, ΠΗ, ΠΩΣ, ΠΩ are left unaccented (3) No acute accents on consecutive syllables, unless long-short αἴ κέν πως εἴ ποτέ τοι οἵ κέ με οὔ πώ τι ἤ πού τίς σφιν θεός πού σοι αἴ κέν πως εἴ ποτέ τοι οἵ κέ με οὔ πω τι ἤ που τίς σφιν θεός που σοι αἴ κέν πως εἴ ποτέ τοι οἵ κέ με οὔ πω τι ἤ που τίς σφιν θεός που σοι

(1) Usual rule (2) ΠΟΥ, ΠΗ, ΠΩΣ, ΠΩ are left unaccented αἴ κέν πως εἴ ποτέ τοι οἵ κέ με οὔ πώ τι ἤ πού τίς σφιν θεός πού σοι αἴ κέν πως εἴ ποτέ τοι οἵ κέ με οὔ πω τι ἤ που τίς σφιν θεός που σοι (3) No acute accents on consecutive syllables, unless long-short αἴ κέν πως εἴ ποτέ τοι οἵ κέ με οὔ πω τι ἤ που τίς σφιν θεός που σοι οὐδέ τί πώ μοι οὐδέ τί πω μοι οὐδέ τι πώ μοι

(1) Usual rule (2) ΠΟΥ, ΠΗ, ΠΩΣ, ΠΩ are left unaccented αἴ κέν πως εἴ ποτέ τοι οἵ κέ με οὔ πώ τι ἤ πού τίς σφιν θεός πού σοι οὐδέ τί πώ μοι γάρ τί πού ἐστιν αἴ κέν πως εἴ ποτέ τοι οἵ κέ με οὔ πω τι ἤ που τίς σφιν θεός που σοι οὐδέ τί πω μοι γάρ τί που ἐστιν (3) No acute accents on consecutive syllables, unless longshort αἴ κέν πως εἴ ποτέ τοι οἵ κέ με οὔ πω τι ἤ που τίς σφιν θεός που σοι οὐδέ τι πώ μοι γάρ τι πού ἐστιν

What is the status of these three rules? Rules of thumb for accenting sequences of enclitics Probably these three rules were intended for different audiences with different levels of knowledge of Ancient Greek (elementary, intermediate, advanced)

Which rule do the manuscripts follow? Study of the manuscript Venetus A, which is the oldest complete text of the Iliad Homer Multitext Project, supported and funded by the Center for Hellenic Studies

Enclitics in the manuscript Venetus A Venetus A is in most cases consistent with the third rule we find in ancient texts (i.e. no acute accents on consecutive syllables unless long-short). E.g. οὐδέ τι πω not οὐδέ τί πω

Enclitics in the manuscript Venetus A Venetus A is in most cases consistent with the third rule we find in ancient texts (i.e. no acute accents on consecutive syllables unless long-short). E.g. οὐδέ τι πώ μοι not οὐδέ τί πώ μοι and not οὐδέ τί πω μοι

Ancient Rule (3) The same as if you take the rules which apply when you add a single enclitic, and apply these again every time you add a new enclitic. Every time you add a new enclitic you treat the preceding sequence as if it were one word. An ancient doctrine: words with an acute on the second syllable from the end take an additional accent on the last syllable, if long-short, e.g. ἄλλός τις

Accenting single enclitics Words with an acute on the third from the end syllable: ἄνθρωπός τις Words with a circumflex on the second from the end syllable: σωτῆρά τε Words with an acute on the second from the end syllable: ποικίλος τε BUT ἄλλός τις Words with an acute on the last syllable: λιγυρός τε Words with a circumflex on the last syllable: ποιῶ σε

Ancient Rule (3) ἄνθρωπός τις σωτῆρά τε ποικίλος τε BUT ἄλλός τις λιγυρός τε ποιῶ σε εἴ τις ἐστι μοι

Ancient Rule (3) ἄνθρωπός τις σωτῆρά τε ποικίλος τε BUT ἄλλός τις λιγυρός τε ποιῶ σε εἴ τις ἐστι μοι (HINT: ἄλλός τις)

Ancient Rule (3) ἄνθρωπός τις σωτῆρά τε ποικίλος τε BUT ἄλλός τις λιγυρός τε ποιῶ σε εἴ τίς ἐστι μοι

Ancient Rule (3) ἄνθρωπός τις σωτῆρά τε ποικίλος τε BUT ἄλλός τις λιγυρός τε ποιῶ σε εἴ τίς ἐστι μοι (HINT ἄνθρωπός τις)

Ancient Rule (3) ἄνθρωπός τις σωτῆρά τε ποικίλος τε BUT ἄλλός τις λιγυρός τε ποιῶ σε εἴ τίς ἐστί μοι

Ancient Rule (3) ἄνθρωπός τις σωτῆρά τε ποικίλος τε BUT ἄλλός τις λιγυρός τε ποιῶ σε εἴ περ τις σε μοι φησιν ποτε

Ancient Rule (3) ἄνθρωπός τις σωτῆρά τε ποικίλος τε BUT ἄλλός τις λιγυρός τε ποιῶ σε εἴ περ τις σε μοι φησιν ποτε (HINT: ἄλλός τις)

Ancient Rule (3) ἄνθρωπός τις σωτῆρά τε ποικίλος τε BUT ἄλλός τις λιγυρός τε ποιῶ σε εἴ πέρ τις σε μοι φησιν ποτε

Ancient Rule (3) ἄνθρωπός τις σωτῆρά τε ποικίλος τε BUT ἄλλός τις λιγυρός τε ποιῶ σε εἴ πέρ τις σε μοι φησιν ποτε (HINT: ἄλλός τις)

Ancient Rule (3) ἄνθρωπός τις σωτῆρά τε ποικίλος τε BUT ἄλλός τις λιγυρός τε ποιῶ σε εἴ πέρ τίς σε μοι φησιν ποτε

Ancient Rule (3) ἄνθρωπός τις σωτῆρά τε ποικίλος τε BUT ἄλλός τις λιγυρός τε ποιῶ σε εἴ πέρ τίς σε μοι φησιν ποτε (HINT: ἄλλός τις)

Ancient Rule (3) ἄνθρωπός τις σωτῆρά τε ποικίλος τε BUT ἄλλός τις λιγυρός τε ποιῶ σε εἴ πέρ τίς σέ μοι φησιν ποτε

Ancient Rule (3) ἄνθρωπός τις σωτῆρά τε ποικίλος τε BUT ἄλλός τις λιγυρός τε ποιῶ σε εἴ πέρ τίς σέ μοι φησιν ποτε (HINT: ποικίλος τε)

Ancient Rule (3) ἄνθρωπός τις σωτῆρά τε ποικίλος τε BUT ἄλλός τις λιγυρός τε ποιῶ σε εἴ πέρ τίς σέ μοι φησίν ποτε

Rules of thumb Vs. Applying rules for accenting single enclitics Which system do you prefer?