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DIK, Helma, Word Order in Greek Tragic Dialogue. Oxford University Press, Oxford (...), 2007. 1st ed. XVI,281p. Original blue cloth with dust wrps. Spine gilt titled. Nice copy. 'In her introductory chapter, D. states that she wants to offer an alternative to studies that have tried to explain word order by means of metrical structure. D.'s general approach to the question is that we can only determine what is poetic about tragic dialogue by trying to analyse it as if it were prose. In the second chapter, D. sets out a theoretical framework serving as a background for her analysis. Crucial pragmatic notions such as Topic, Focus, Theme, Tail and Setting (derived from Simon Dik's 'Functional Grammar) are defined and illustrated in such a way that those readers not very familiar with linguistic theory and terminology will be able to follow her argument. (...) With this book, D. convincingly demonstrates that word order in tragic dialogue can be explained insightfully by means of pragmatic notions, thereby showing that is more like prose (or, if you will, more 'natural') than one might have expected. The strength of D.'s model is that, although it is relatively simple, it is able to account for word order variety in Greek texts in a highly adequate manner. Her study makes clear, once again, how important functional linguistic research can be for general interpretative issues. It will be of great interest not only to Greek linguists, but to anyone who wishes to attain a better understanding of the language of Greek drama.' (RUTGER ALLAN in The Classical Review (New Series), 2008, pp.352-53). € 85.00 (Antiquarian) ISBN: 9780199279296