PhD dissertation (1987): A GRAMMAR OF THE BIBLICAL ACCENTS

Abstract

The Masoretic accentuation of the Biblical text (its cantillation or “trope” markings) can be systematically derived, by a set of ordered rules, from a syntactic analysis of the Biblical text.

Recognition of this systematic relationship has up to now been hampered by 1) adherence, in Bible studies, to a view of the accents as an artificial hermeneutic overlay governed by a "law of continuous dichotomy;" 2) the lack, in general linguistic studies, of an adequate theory of the relation between syntax and intonation phrasing. 

Like the punctuation marks familiar to us in modern language texts, the Masoretic accents reflect the intended grouping of words in utterance (or recitation or chanting) of the Biblical text.  In other words, what the accents reflect is functionally equivalent, albeit more rigid and stylized, to the intonational phrasing of ordinary linguistic utterance.

Biographical background

I began PhD studies in the Harvard Linguistics Department in 1964.  I completed my course-work, passed my general exams, worked as a teaching assistant for one year, and taught my own course (Phonetics and Phonology) for two years.  But then, in 1968,  I left grad school “ABD” (all but dissertation) to go into business. Had I written a thesis at that time, its subject would most likely have been the ‘standardization’ of Modern Greek.

In 1976, however, having been involved for several years with the small, participatory Worship & Study Congregation at Harvard Hillel, I learned how to chant the Biblical text and found that skill to be very interesting from a linguistic point of view.  I thought I might like to write a dissertation about it, and I petitioned the Linguistics Department to re-open my candidacy for the doctoral degree.  (A time limit for completing one’s degree had been instituted in the meanwhile, but I was “grandfathered” and allowed to resume.) Thomas Lambdin, a great scholar of Semitic languages, agreed to be my advisor. 

The life I was leading at that time was rather complicated, and it took me another eleven years (!) to finish my dissertation on Biblical chant. As it turned out, I was Professor Lambdin’s last doctoral advisee.  I was awarded the doctoral degree in 1987, and, to receive it, I marched in the Yard with some of my classmates from Harvard College ’62. They were attending our 25th reunion! 

Senior thesis (1962):

METER, CORRESPONSION, AND SIGNIFICANCE IN THE POETRY OF PINDAR

(Forthcoming)

Linguistics papers (1964-1968):

PHONETIC ICONISM 1
PHONETIC ICONISM 2