Answering Yes/No Questions in Biblical Hebrew Dialogue

Abstract The question-response interchange in biblical dialogue is of great linguistic as well as literary interest. In order to successfully serve purposes such as characterization and plot development, question-response interactions in a literary composition must authentically reflect the linguist...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Moshavi, Adina Mosak (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Journals Online & Print:
Drawer...
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Published: Brill 2021
In: Vetus Testamentum
Year: 2021, Volume: 71, Issue: 1, Pages: 89-104
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Hebrew writing / Hebrew language / Question / Answer / Conversation analysis / Linguistics / Syntax / Dialogue / Direct discourse
IxTheo Classification:HB Old Testament
Online Access: Volltext (Resolving-System)
Volltext (Verlag)
Description
Summary:Abstract The question-response interchange in biblical dialogue is of great linguistic as well as literary interest. In order to successfully serve purposes such as characterization and plot development, question-response interactions in a literary composition must authentically reflect the linguistic forms and conversational practices characterizing natural spoken language. The present study analyzes the linguistic characteristics and patterns of use of responses to questions in Biblical Hebrew dialogue. Its findings show that the semantics and syntax of answers to yes/no questions are closely related to the affiliation or misaffiliation of the answer with the question’s accompanying assumptions, expectations, and agendas. These associations between semantic/syntactic types and social cooperativeness, which closely resemble those found in modern spoken conversation, contribute to the authenticity of the style of biblical dialogue, and enable the question-response interaction to function effectively on the literary level.
ISSN:1568-5330
Contains:Enthalten in: Vetus Testamentum
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1163/15685330-12341444