From: Steve Lovullo (SLovullo@etcconnect.com)
Date: Fri Jan 12 2001 - 14:01:50 EST
> I wonder if this "out of the box" thought is suitable for helping me
> distinguish the Middle and Passive senses.
>
> Could we understand the Middle as we understand a "purpose
> clause" and
> understand the Passive as a "result clause." That way, the
> Middle reflects
> the subject's "volitional choice" while the Passive reflects
> a "completely
> passive" concept. Hence,
>
> As Middle (purpose), Paul chose or purposed to suffer loss
>
> As Passive (result), (as a result of his decision) Paul received loss
>
> This would also include "awareness." As a Middle (purpose), Paul was
> cognizant of the implications of his decision. As a Passive
> (result), the
> results would befall Paul, even to the extent that he would
> be unaware of
> the implications of his past choice.
Without giving this a whole lot of thought (it's been a busy day), I think
it would be a mistake to assume psychological or even sentient components
such as volition or awareness to be intrinsic to the middle voice. I have
two reasons for saying this:
(1) It seems to me that some actions that could be signified by the middle
voice could be quite accidental, i.e., not consciously intended by the
subject. To use a simplistic example, it is one thing to "wash myself;" it
is quite another thing to "wet myself."
(2) What would we conclude when the subject of a middle verb is impersonal?
There clearly cannot be volition or awareness involved in these cases.
Like I said, these are off-the-cuff reactions, so let's hear from some
others.
Steve Lo Vullo
Madison, WI
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