A Functional Description of the Discourse Marker δε in 1 Corinthians

Abstract

The first chapter focuses on the background for and the thesis of the present study. It lists researches on the discourse analysis and the traditional historical-comparative approach; the discourse markers in the Greek NT; and the letter of 1 Corinthians with respect to the discourse analysis and the DM δέ, to date.

The second chapter surveys the scholars’ writings from Classical and Koine Greek concerning the DM δέ. It covers both traditional historical-comparative approach and discourse linguistics from those eras. The research takes into consideration grammars as well as lexica.

The third chapter visits the usages of the DM δέ in the context of the first discourse—Church Division (1:10-4:17). Employing a functional descriptive approach, it aims at showing that the functional description of the DM δέ accounts for the data of their appearances better than does the traditional approach.

The fourth chapter studies the occurrences of the DM δέ in the three scope descriptors—broad, moderate, and narrow—and at the various levels within those scopes. It employs the discourse of Marriage (7:1-40) as a representative locus. The goal is to recognize the linguistic signalsthat accompany the usages of the DM δέ in contexts—namely, the typical uses of the DM δέ.

The fifth and last chapter states the conclusions of the present study and proposes suggestions for the further research.