Hi David,
Begging your patience.
Take 1 Sam 26:19 for an example:
yishma` na' 'adoni hammelek 'et dibrey `abdo
We have a 3rd person subject prefix on the verb. Surely this is a transformation from the second person notion "you" (2nd person) as in "you listen."
We have a third person pronominal suffix on `abdo. Surely this is a transformation from the first person possessive notion, "The words are mine."
The question is not whether the notions surface as noun clauses or independent pronouns. The question is whether the transformation from a notion in one person to a surface structure in another person is driven by politeness.
Am I thinking correctly?
If yes, why wouldn't the surface structure qualify as grammaticalization since it requires third person reference?
Shalom,
Bryan
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