Untersuchungen zur Verbalsyntax der Liviusübersetzungen in die romanischen Sprachen: Ein Versuch zur Anwendung quantitativer Methoden in der historisch-vergleichenden Syntax

The study proceeds on the conviction that one of the characteristics of the syntax of a language is the relative frequency with which syntactic constructions occur. 42 translations of the early chapters of Titus Livius' "Ab Urbe condita" into 6 Romance languages from 1323 to the present day are examined from the point of view of the differential incidence of the use of finite and non-finite constructions to express various sentence functions in the languages and epochs under consideration. The data on the construction frequency established in twelve representative texts is presented in table form and subjected to diachronic and synchronic/comparative analysis. This analysis is illustrated, critically evaluated and enriched by an interpretation of the way selected sentences are rendered in the translations. The study proper is prefaced by a discussion of the relevant theoretical and methodological problems and introductory information on the translations. The volume closes with a synopsis of the translation texts.