ABSTRACT The talk will present an ongoing research project (Γ-project from now) aiming at designing a dynamic grammar of Ancient Greek. Just as many other languages, Ancient Greek is characterized by a complex interplay between its rich morphological features, its wide range of semantic roles and its diverse syntactic functions. The nodes where these three types of features intersect are commonly known as grammar rules. This means that grammatical rules, in sharp contrast to their static presentation in grammar books as well as online grammars can be regarded as the result of many-to-many relationships. To secure its dynamic structure, the Γ-project is constructed around these many-to-many relationships. Exploring these relations, students will acquire Greek language skills, while also acquiring a more profound knowledge of language structures. Hence, the Γ-grammar will be a novel instrument for learning and understanding ancient languages. As the technology of Γ-grammar will be available under a Creative Commons license, a similar application for other (ancient or modern) languages would be conceivable. Full abstract: http://hdl.handle.net/11858/00-1780-0000-0024-412A-0

1. 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)

2. Linguistic background
Functional Linguistics and the
limitations of printed grammars

3. 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.)

4. 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

5. 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)

6. Limitations of conventional grammars (2)
• Denial of complexity
• Lack of dynamicity
• Bound to a specific level of knowledge

7. 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)

8. Macro-structure
ἵνα + subjunctive: Goal as a satellite
ἵνα subjunctive Goal satellite

9. Micro-structure
The structure of a prototypical
paragraph

10. Micro-structure: a typical paragraph

11. Micro-structure: a typical paragraph
Succinct
example

12. Micro-structure: a typical paragraph
Level tag

13. Micro-structure: a typical paragraph
Grammatical
tags

14. Micro-structure: a typical paragraph
Grammatical
rule

15. Micro-structure: a typical paragraph
Supplementary
information

16. Micro-structure: a typical paragraph
Supplementary
information

17. Micro-structure: a typical paragraph
Example
sentences

18. 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.

19. 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)

20. Macro-structure
Dynamicity from database to website

21. Technological background
Filemaker Pro
database (also
including
morphology)
Importer tool Drupal interface

22. Technological background: Filemaker
• Relational database:
o Allows links between rules, tags, and examples
o Avoids typing mistakes
o Allows for exports to Drupal & Word

23. Technological background: importer (1)
Step 1: separate importers
for rules, tags, examples,
and bibliography
Step 2: matching Filemaker
to Drupal fields

24. Technological background: importer (2)
Step 3: importing into the
Drupal environment
Step 4: importing the .csv
file (converted from .fp7)

25. Technological background: Drupal
• Drupal taxonomies = our tags
• Custom-made faceted search tool (Hans Coppens)
• Adaptive user interface, optimized for touchscreens

26. Dynamicity in practice
Demonstration of faceted search

27. Faceted search (step 1)
4 types of filters:
1. Form
2. Content
3. Hierarchy
4. Level

28. Faceted search (step 2)
Selection of the first
tag.

29. Faceted search (step 3)
Selection of a second,
third, fourth etc. tag.

30. Implementation in
classroom learning

31. Implementation: blended learning
• Blended learning:
o Classroom learning
o Self-study at home
• 3 aspects:
1. READING grammar (< form & hierarchy tags)
2. LEARNING grammar (< level tags)
3. REFERENCE grammar (< content & hierarchy tags)

32. Implementation: exercises (1)
• Exercises and assessment:
o Not in Drupal, but linked to Toledo/Blackboard platform
o Edumatic software (by Televic Education)
o Types: drop-down, fill in the gap…

33. Implementation: exercises (2)

34. Implementation: exercises (3)

35. Future prospects

36. 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

37. Thank you for your
attention.