Varron et Priscien : Autour des verbes adsignificare et consignificare

Alessandro Garcea (1) , Valeria Lomanto (2)

1 Rome et ses Renaissances - Centre Guillaume Budé
2 UNITO - Università degli studi di Torino = University of Turin

After analysing the occurrences of the verbs adsignificare (loan translation of the Greek prossēmaínein) and consignificare (loan translation of sussēmaínein) in Varro's and Priscien's works, we will focus our attention on the structure of the systems of partes orationis formulated by these two authors. Different parameters are used : vericonditional (subject and predicate of a minimal assertive proposition), semantic (semantic / asemantic constituents), declarative (independent / consignificant parts). Each parameter is recalled by metaphors (ship, quadriga, primary and secondary organs of the human body) which oppose the logical approach to the grammatical one. Varro proposes a simplification of the taxonomic criteria, by retaining only time and case, the basic properties in the philosophy of language ; Priscian, who superimposes many parameters, conceives heterogeneous taxonomies, which the Medieval commentators will consider as conflicting.

Mots clés: Latin grammarians; Varro; Priscian

Domaines: Etudes classiques; Linguistique; Philosophie

Alessandro Garcea, Valeria Lomanto. Varron et Priscien : Autour des verbes adsignificare et consignificare. Histoire Epistémologie Langage, 2003, 25 (2), pp.33-54. ⟨10.3406/hel.2003.2208⟩. ⟨halshs-01169044⟩