Explore how the infinitive shapes Old Spanish and what it reveals about early syntax.
This study examines the infinitive and its many forms in old Spanish, offering a thorough survey of its uses in early texts. It aims to clarify how historical constructions evolved and how they relate to modern Spanish patterns, making a complex topic accessible to readers with an interest in linguistics and medieval literature.
- A clear breakdown of pure and prepositional infinitives, with explanations of how prepositions like de and a influence meaning and function
- Close readings from major sources, including the Cantar de Mio Cid, Gonzalo de Berceo, and the Primera Crónica General, to show how forms appear in poetry and prose
- How the infinitive acts as subject, object, or predicate noun, and how verbs of motion, thought, and perception shape its use
- A compare-and-contrast view of early Romance syntax, linking Old Spanish patterns to later developments
Ideal for readers of historical linguistics and medieval Spanish literature who want a clear, well-grounded guide to a foundational grammatical feature.