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Modelling Greek syntax

Annotating syntactic relations

Annotation of top-level syntactic relations

Syntactic annotation is organized by sentence, and expresses how individual sentences connect to their larger context.

The root node of the syntax graph is normally a connector — a coordinating conjunction, or a coodinating particle or particles. Since every sentence includes at least one (explicit or implied) independent clause, and every independent clause includes a verb, the first child token of the connector is always one or more verb tokens. The relation of the verb to the connector is tagged as unit verb Sentences may have more than one independent clause.

In cases of asyndeton, there is no explicit connector. In this situation, the unit verbs should be linked to an implied asyndeton element.

Annotation of subordinated verbal expressions

All verbal expressions include a token linked to the rest of the sentence as a verbal unit.

Syntactic type Token with verbal idea Connected to
Independent clause finite verb connecting word
Subordinate clause finite verb subordinating conjunction
Accusative + infintive infinitive verb of speaking
Accusative + participle participle verb of perceiving
Circumstantial participle participle substantive (or implied subject of verb)
Attributive particple participle article
Quote finite verb verb of speaking
Aside ? ?

Conjunctions

  • conjunction. Used for

Subordinating tokens

  • subordinate conjunction
  • relative. Takes two links, first to antecedent, second to function in clause.
  • indirect statement
  • quoted
  • indirect statement with infinitive
  • indirect statement with participle
  • articular infinitive
  • circumstantial participle
  • attributive participle

Relations to verbs

The following relations are possible between unit verbs and their children:

  • subject. Used for an explicit subject. For finite verbs this will be a nominative form; for indirect statement with an infinitive this will be an accusative form; for circumstantial participles, this will be the substantive that the participle agrees with.
  • object. Used for direct objects of transitive forms, no matter what the case construction. Some Greek verbs can have objects in more than one case, e.g., ἀκούω which uses an accusative for a sound or thing that is heard and a genitive for the source, such as a person.
  • adverbial. Used for constructions that
  • dative
  • direct address
  • modal particle
  • complementary infinitive
  • supplementary participle

Relations to substantives

  • attribute
  • article
  • pronoun

Relations to substantives

  • object of preposition