The Prague School of Linguistics and Its Influence on New Testament Language Studies

Abstract

This chapter addresses the relevance of the development of structuralism and functionalism within Prague School linguistics in relation to its adoption within New Testament Greek language studies. It contains a survey of the beginnings of structuralism. The chapter surveys the development of Prague School linguistics. Prague School Linguistics within New Testament Language Studies, surveys the development of New Testament Greek linguistics, followed by a chronological account highlighting elements of Prague School linguistics within New Testament language studies. The general notions of the Prague School of language as a structured system that consists of functional units that interrelate, or, put in other words, structuralism and functionalism, are major contributions of the Prague School. The broad and substantial production of Prague School linguistic research, some of which material is reviewed in the chapter, makes up a valuable resource for further research and application within New Testament language studies. Keywords:functionalism; Greek language; linguistics; New Testament; Prague School; structuralism