IE-L: Q? Greek verb, o vs. a

From: Vincent DeCaen (decaen@epas.utoronto.ca)
Date: Thu Aug 31 1995 - 15:27:32 EDT

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can someone briefly explain the /a/ vs /o/ contrast in the Greek verb
and the apparent relative tense/"backshifting" involved:

1. participles:
NonPast: lu.o.nt.os (Pres), lu.s.o.nt.os ("Fut")
Past: lu.s.a.nt.os

similarly,
2. optative
NonPast: lu.o.i.mi (Pres), lu.s.o.i.mi (Fut)
vs. Past: lu.s.a.i.mi
   cf. 3. infinitives
lu.ein, lu.s.ein vs. lu.s.ai

and how is this /a/ related if at all to the endings of the aorist and
perfect: -a<*-a.m, -a.s, -e<*-a.t??, -a.men, -a.te, -a.n/-a.si

can't find an explanation in the grammars, and I'm really curious
about the relative backshifting involved in the contrast.

many thanks in advance,
Vince

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