Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Fritz Knobloch <fknobloc AT deans.umd.edu>]

> >> Ex 8:14 is conative because the priests *tried to* bring forth gnats
> >> none of your examples above are conative.

Unless there is some use of "conative" that I am not aware of, I have to
agree with Randall that none of the examples qualify.  Conative speech, as I
understand R. Jakobson's description of it, is speech whose function is to
get the hearer to do something.  "The priests tried to bring forth gnats" is
referential; "Bring forth gnats!" would be conative.  But I'm at a loss for
what to call the use of the imperfect that you are describing--hope somebody
can come up with it!

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                                Dr. Frederick W. Knobloch
                                Department of Religion
                                La Salle University
                                1900 West Olney Ave.
                                Phila., PA 19141-1199

                                E-mail: fk24 AT umail.umd.edu
                                Phone: (215) 951-1343
                                Fax: (215) 951-1665
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