Infinitive Absolute in Hispanic and Ladino Translations of Biblical Motion Verbs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46661/meldar.12178Keywords:
Infinitive absolute, Bible translations, Spanish, LadinoAbstract
This paper analyzes the biblical infinitive absolute (IA) of motion verbs in medieval Hispanic and post-medieval Judeo-Spanish (Ladino) Bible translations. The study examines eight verbs meaning ‘go/walk’, ‘come’, ‘go out/leave’, ‘return’, ‘move’, ‘travel’, ‘run’, and ‘pass’. It explores the syntactic and semantic functions of IA in Hebrew and its translations. Syntactically, IA can be attached to a verb of the same root, to a different root, or to none. It functions as a modal intensifier verb, an imperative, and more. IA may precede, follow, or stand independently from a conjugated verb. The verb halak (‘go/walk’) exhibits significant variations in both Hebrew and its translations. Medieval Hispanic translations (E3, E5/E7, E19, Arragel) show greater variability in IA translation than post-medieval Ladino versions (Ferrara, Constantinople/Salonica), though E3 bears some resemblance to the latter. Despite their word-for-word nature, post-medieval Ladino translations display subtle differences in IA rendering. This paper explores these variations and their possible explanations.
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