Aug 9, 2006

GREEKBOOK

Wermuth's GREEKBOOK is packed with the information you need to begin your study of Koiné Greek verbs. The following is just a taste of how GREEKBOOK addresses topics related to verbs, including samples of the innovative, easy to use charts that serve to clarify the topic.

VERBS FORMATION Indicative Mode Greek verbs can be readily learned utilizing a memory system that encapsilates the verb’s personal endings into a numbering system that can be plugged into an easily recognizable and memorable “formula” for each of the Greek verb tenses and voices. All other Greek verbal modes (including Participles, which are verbal-adjectives) can be memorized under similar systems which are included within the GREEKBOOK.

VERB ENDINGS Using an “odd” and “even” numbering system which re-codes the verb column numbers with the endings’ thematic vowel, this memory paradigm can be reduced to four basic columns of verb endings that need to be mastered. All of the tenses and their respective voices can be formed off of variations of these four basic columns of verb endings. Similar paradigms can be utilized for all Greek modes, including the Indicative, Subjunctive, Imperative, Optative modes, as well as Participles.


CONTRACT VERBS Verbs whose present stems end in a short vowel (α, ε, ω) are called Contract Verbs. Since, in the Present and Imperfect tenses there is nothing added to the verb stem before the endings are joined, the short vowel of the stem meshes or “contracts” with the thematic vowel of the endings to form either a single, longer vowel, or diphthong. (See paradigm, below)

Because a consonant (e.g., - σ -, - θ -, - τ -) is added to the verb stem in all other tenses, these final short stem vowels “lengthen” in those tenses. Lengthening rules are also discussed and charted in Wermuth’s GREEKBOOK.

 

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Posted by Robert Wermuth at 20:10:20 | Article Path: Home: Previews: GREEKBOOK