Answering yes/no questions in biblical Hebrew dialogue

A. Mosak Moshavi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

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.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)89-104
Number of pages16
JournalVetus Testamentum
Volume71
Issue number1
StatePublished - 2021

RAMBI Publications

  • RAMBI Publications
  • Questions and answers
  • Hebrew language, Biblical -- Semantics
  • Hebrew language, Biblical -- Syntax
  • Dialogue in the Bible

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