Moshavi2021

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Moshavi2021
BibType ARTICLE
Key Moshavi2021
Author(s) Adina Moshavi
Title Answering Yes/No Questions in Biblical Hebrew Dialogue
Editor(s)
Tag(s) EMCA, Biblical Hebrew, Questions, Answers, Linguistics, Syntax, Dialogue, Direct speech
Publisher
Year 2021
Language English
City
Month
Journal Vetus Testamentum
Volume 71
Number 1
Pages 89–104
URL Link
DOI 10.1163/15685330-12341444
ISBN
Organization
Institution
School
Type
Edition
Series
Howpublished
Book title
Chapter

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Abstract

The question-response interchange in biblical dialogue is of great linguistic as well as literary interest. In order to successfully serve purposes such as characterization and plot development, question-response interactions in a literary composition must authentically reflect the linguistic forms and conversational practices characterizing natural spoken language. The present study analyzes the linguistic characteristics and patterns of use of responses to questions in Biblical Hebrew dialogue. Its findings show that the semantics and syntax of answers to yes/no questions are closely related to the affiliation or misaffiliation of the answer with the question’s accompanying assumptions, expectations, and agendas. These associations between semantic/syntactic types and social cooperativeness, which closely resemble those found in modern spoken conversation, contribute to the authenticity of the style of biblical dialogue, and enable the question-response interaction to function effectively on the literary level.

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