01-21-2014, 04:41 PM
Shlama Akhi Steven,
I was reading 1Peter 4:17 in the Peshitta, and noticed something familiar to modern Neo-Aramaic speakers (since our modern Neo-Aramaic dialects are derived from the classical language of the Peshitta.)
In that verse, the verb for "begin" (in two conjugal forms) is $-r-) (shra). As I'm sure you know, the primary meaning of this root in all Aramaic dialects is "loosen" (with derivative meanings like "free, divorce, break fast" etc.). But in our modern Neo-Aramaic dialect, like the Peshitta, it can be used as a verb to mean "begin".
However, I don't notice any "western" dialects like CPA or Galilean that seem to use it as a verb. I've seen noun and adverb derivatives like "beginning", etc., in the Comprehensive Aramaic Lexicon that you've assisted with. But no examples in a strictly verbal sense.
So my question is, do you think this secondary usage as a verb is a "Syriac Shibboleth", and if so ... assuming that Peter spoke "Galilean Aramaic", what do you suppose would have been his original "Galilean Aramaic" choice of verb for "begin"?
b'Shayna w'Shlama,
+Shamasha Paul
I was reading 1Peter 4:17 in the Peshitta, and noticed something familiar to modern Neo-Aramaic speakers (since our modern Neo-Aramaic dialects are derived from the classical language of the Peshitta.)
In that verse, the verb for "begin" (in two conjugal forms) is $-r-) (shra). As I'm sure you know, the primary meaning of this root in all Aramaic dialects is "loosen" (with derivative meanings like "free, divorce, break fast" etc.). But in our modern Neo-Aramaic dialect, like the Peshitta, it can be used as a verb to mean "begin".
However, I don't notice any "western" dialects like CPA or Galilean that seem to use it as a verb. I've seen noun and adverb derivatives like "beginning", etc., in the Comprehensive Aramaic Lexicon that you've assisted with. But no examples in a strictly verbal sense.
So my question is, do you think this secondary usage as a verb is a "Syriac Shibboleth", and if so ... assuming that Peter spoke "Galilean Aramaic", what do you suppose would have been his original "Galilean Aramaic" choice of verb for "begin"?
b'Shayna w'Shlama,
+Shamasha Paul