Indo-European Negative Composition

Abstract

The functional history of the IE negative prefix, the variants of which we conveniently designate by their central form *n-, is an integral part of the history of IE composition. A classification of IE compounds, based on historical rather than logical considerations, would include (1) old types, generally declining during the historical period of IE-bahuvrihis and synthetic compounds (verbale Rektionskomposita), and (2) distinctly younger types-pronominal hypostatics, determinatives, and copulatives. The earliest types available to us in which *nappears are bahuvrihis and (synthetic) verbal adjectives.' A thorough analysis of these types is therefore essential for an adequate comprehension of the nature of *n-. The bahuvrihi type has been variously explained. Whereas in earlier times a mechanical consideration of its semantic contents led to the assumption that it represents a secondary development from the determinatives with added possessive value and conversion to adjectives (e.g. Brugmann, KZ 24.40), more modern theories2 have made unquestionably clear the primitive and primary nature of the type. In the most primitive forms of IE-Vedic, Gathic, Homeric Greek, Gothic-the bahuvrihis are found in their greatest expansion, whereas the tatpurusa type is rare and still largely expressed by uncompounded elements; its gradual extension can be followed in the later stages of the languages.' The synthetic compounds4 form, together with the bahuvrihis, the oldest layer, and seem to have been the most common primitive type. A survey by Risch (IF 59.5) of the Greek material, which has a recognized conservative character, shows that about 60% of all compounds come under the heading of synthetics, 25-30% are bahuvrihis, and the rest are mainly hypostatics, determinatives, and occasional copulatives. The synthetic type comprises variants with the verbal element second (Gk. &Sv, Skt. ayuj, Lat. coniux) and with the verbal element first (Gk. AXKEXLTWV, CXKE-OTleXhos, Skt. viddd-vasu).5 This classification has only lately been recognized. The whole &Svu type was classed with the tatpurusas by the Sanskrit grammarians, which is logically acceptable but historically impossible.