Particelle e asindeto nel greco classico

Abstract

The first part of the paper (paragraphs 1–5) discusses the interpretations advanced by Denniston and Duhoux on the frequency and distribution of particles, arguing that Duhoux’ statistical approach needs to be corrected for methodological reasons. Data gathered from a much larger corpus show that asyndeton is correlated to turn-beginnings in conversation, and that particles, contrary to Duhoux’ thesis, are rare in some prose genres (Thucydides’ historiography). There are also, pace Duhoux, statistically significant differences between dialogic and non-dialogic sections of literary texts. The second part (paragraphs 6–11) is a corpus-based study of asyndeton in poetry (tragedy, Aristophanes) and prose (Plato, Xenophon). Building on the observation that particles are significantly less frequent at turn beginning, the analysis shows that asyndeton in dialogue occurs preferentially where the relation between two turns is predetermined (esp. in answers to questions). By contrast, particles are frequently used in questions, where the utterance needs to be situated within the exchange. Particle usage is determined by the structure of linguistic interaction, rather than by formal oppositions such as dialogue vs. continuous speech.