This question has to do with the three -IA nouns. If I understand the
grammars correctly, these are noun forms which are based on -EUW verbs,
which, in turn, have been based(?) on adjectives. Many of the nouns
with this ending seemed to be translated in English with the English
suffix -ness, which expresses having an expressed quality. But I am
unclear about the bias of the form in the Greek.
I can make a case in the English for filthiness, for example, to be
that which is filthy. I can also make a case for it to be the source
of making something filthy. The second seems to be the tendency of
definitions of the Greek words in the Greek-English lexicons. Is this
the sense of -IA?
The significance of the question comes from two forms in the language
of our translation project. One form refers to the quality of the
object to be laid aside. The other refers to the quality caused by the
object to be laid aside. The "normal" interpretation of the English
texts seem to favor the former, but the Greek lexicons seem to favor
the latter. Any ideas woud be appreciated.
On a similar line of thought, have any of you intermediate grammars
that you would recommend that would address issues of interpretations
of affixes, like the -IA above or -MAT- or -SIS? Apparently I have
found one of my many weak areas. (Now if I could only find a strong
one!)
Thanks much,
Paul
Paul and Dee Zellmer, Jimmy Guingab, Geoffrey Beltran
Ibanag Translation Project
Cabagan, Philippines
zellmer@faith.edu.ph