AbstractsLanguage, Literature & Linguistics

This thesis examines the causative stem (C-stem) in two Aramaic translations of Genesis, Targum Neofiti (TgN) and Targum Onqelos (TgO). More specifically, it is focused on how this morphological causative is employed to translate different Hebrew verbs and stem forms as well as the situation aspect and transitivity of individual verbs. The survey and synthesis show (1) that the vast majority of C-stem verbs in these corpora have an intransitive basic stem (G-stem) and (2) that the C-stem adds an external agent to G-stem constructions, thereby increasing their valency. (3) It illustrates how the addition of an external agent changes the role of the causee (original subject). For example, the subject of an intransitive G-stem construction becomes the direct object of a causative construction: ‘He went out’ becomes ‘They brought him out’. Likewise, the subject of a transitive construction (e.g. ‘He drank wine’) becomes a second direct object, making certain C-stem constructions bitransitive. (4) It outlines how the addition of an external agent affects the situation aspect of three different verb types, stative verbs, process verbs, and action verbs. (5) Lastly, it shows that the ancient translators attempted to imitate the Hebrew text whenever possible by using the same verb and stem. Advisors/Committee Members: Gzella, Holger (advisor).