Question on Pali syntax

[Richard G Salomon]

Dear Madhav,

Edgerton, BHSG #25.4, p. 129 notes "frequent use of atthi with plural subject," referring to Geiger 141.1 ("otherwise this usage seems to be virtually ignored in the books on Pali or Pkt." -- I haven't checked Oberlies on this).

As noted by Edgerton, this is a manifestation of a broader phenomenon in MIA whereby  the 3rd. sg. verb is beginning to be generalized to all persons and numbers.

Rich

On Thu, 15 Nov 2012, Madhav Deshpande wrote:

> Hello Colleagues,
> 
>      I am reading the Mahāsatipaṭṭhānasutta from the Dīghanikāya with a few students.  In
> this Sutta, phrases like atthi kāyo, atthi cittam, atthi vedanā are quite frequent, and
> pose no problems.  However, then comes the phrase atthi dhammā a few times.  It is quite
> clear from the context that dhammā is nominative plural (other refs in the context in
> plural: dhammesu dhammānupassī).  I am wondering how to explain the syntax of the phrase
> atthi dhammā.  Any suggestions?  Perhaps, K.R. Norman might have an explanation.  Does
> anyone have his email address?  Thanks.
> 
> Madhav
> 
> --
> Madhav M. Deshpande
> Professor of Sanskrit and Linguistics
> Department of Asian Languages and Cultures
> 202 South Thayer Street, Suite 6111
> The University of Michigan
> Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1608, USA
> 
> 
>