'Behind' and 'in front' in Ancient Greek: A case study in orientation asymmetry
Résumé
This paper explores the evolution of spatial terms describing localization behind a reference object that took place in the period from Homeric to Classical Greek. We trace the gradual increase in the proportion of prepositional (as opposed to adverbial) uses of the spatial relator 'behind', correlating it with a gradual change in the preposition's interpretation. In particular, in Homeric Greek, the preposition ópisthen 'behind' is used to localize a Figure relative to the Ground's internal back. In later periods, the same preposition is attested with Grounds lacking an internal front/back asymmetry, and localizes the Figure from the perspective of an external observer ('x is behind y' = 'y is located between x and the observer'). In addition to exploring these diachronic developments, we point out a number of differences in the use and interpretation of the terms for 'behind' and 'in front' and relate them to a difference in the rate of grammaticalization of the original terms that gave rise to the prepositions.