Creating a Dynamic Grammar of Ancient Greek

An on-going research project at the Catholic University of Leuven(Prof. dr. Toon Van Hal, Yannick Anné)

Linguistic background

Functional Linguistics and the limitations of printed grammars

Ancient Greek teaching in Flanders

• Taal- en letterkunde = “Linguistics and Literature”

• Ancient Greek and Latin = two modules, on the same level as modern languages

• ≠ earlier system (cf. Germany’s Altphilologie, Anglo-Saxon Classics etc.)

Model of choice: Functional Linguistics

• Simon Dik, The Theory of Functional Grammar (Berlin: Mouton De Gruyter 1997).

• Functional levels:

1. Pragmatic functions

2. Syntactic functions

3. Semantic functions

Limitations of conventional grammars (1)

Grammar A

Dative [MO]1. Satellites [SY]

1. Cause [SE]

2. Means

3. …

Grammar C

Satellites [SY]1. Cause [SE]

1. Dative [MO]

2. διά + acc.

3. …

Grammar B

Cause [SE]1. Dative [MO]

1. Satellites [SY]

2. διά + acc.

3. …

Most classical languages (receptive, not active)

Limitations of conventional grammars (2)

• Denial of complexity

• Lack of dynamicity

• Bound to a specific level of knowledge

Limitations of conventional grammars (3)

• Solution: DYNAMIC STRUCTURE based upon TAGS

1. Form tags (morphology)

2. Content tags (semantics, pragmatics)

3. Hierarchy tags (syntax, pragmatics)

4. Level tags (study level)

• Navigation through faceted search

• Each tag gets an own page (definition, background)

Macro-structure

ἵνα + subjunctive: Goal as a satellite

ἵνα subjunctive Goal satellite

Micro-structure

The structure of a prototypical paragraph

Micro-structure: a typical paragraph

Micro-structure: a typical paragraphSuccinct example

Micro-structure: a typical paragraphLevel tag

Micro-structure: a typical paragraph

Grammatical tags

Micro-structure: a typical paragraph

Grammatical rule

Micro-structure: a typical paragraph

Supplementary information

Micro-structure: a typical paragraph

Supplementary information

Micro-structure: a typical paragraph

Example sentences

Micro-structure: metadata (1: rules)

• Unique identifier

• Bibliography – main sources:o Crespo, E. etc. Sintaxis del griego clásico (2003)o Rijksbaron, A. The syntax and semantics of the verb in

Classical Greek (2006³)o “Traditional” grammars: Smyth, Goodwin…o Etc.

Micro-structure: metadata (2: examples)

• Unique identifiers for:

1. Linking to more than one grammatical rule

2. Usage as exercises (with link to grammatical rule)

• Automatic link to Perseus database

http://data.perseus.org/citations/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0059.tlg005.perseus-grc1:383a

= Plat. Crat. 383a = Plato, Kratylos 383a

• Possibility for extra links to metadata (e.g. Perseus Catalog; Trismegistos; Wikidata)

Macro-structure

Dynamicity from database to website

Technological background

Filemaker Pro database (also

including morphology)

Importer tool Drupal interface

Technological background: Filemaker

• Relational database:o Allows links between rules, tags, and exampleso Avoids typing mistakeso Allows for exports to Drupal & Word

Technological background: importer (1)Step 1: separate importers for rules, tags, examples, and bibliography

Step 2: matching Filemaker to Drupal fields

Technological background: importer (2)Step 3: importing into the Drupal environment

Step 4: importing the .csv file (converted from .fp7)

Technological background: Drupal

• Drupal taxonomies = our tags

• Custom-made faceted search tool (Hans Coppens)

• Adaptive user interface, optimized for touchscreens

Dynamicity in practice

Demonstration of faceted search

Faceted search (step 1)

4 types of filters:1. Form

2. Content

3. Hierarchy

4. Level

Faceted search (step 2)

Selection of the first tag.

Faceted search (step 3)

Selection of a second, third, fourth etc. tag.

Implementation in classroom learning

Implementation: blended learning

• Blended learning:o Classroom learningo Self-study at home

• 3 aspects:

1. READING grammar (< form & hierarchy tags)

2. LEARNING grammar (< level tags)

3. REFERENCE grammar (< content & hierarchy tags)

Implementation: exercises (1)

• Exercises and assessment:o Not in Drupal, but linked to Toledo/Blackboard platformo Edumatic software (by Televic Education)o Types: drop-down, fill in the gap…

Implementation: exercises (2)

Implementation: exercises (3)

Future prospects

Future prospects

• 2-year project, ending in October 2015

• Availability for information exchange (Creative Commons)

• Adaptations (e.g. a version specifically for history students) are possible thanks to the dynamic structure

Thank you for your attention.