There was never an optative in recorded Latin or later Romance languages.
Tom Send a noteboard - 27/04/2012 09:58:11 PM
The only languages that I am aware of that have a recorded optative are Greek and Sanskrit. The Spanish expression ojalá is just "Oh Allah" taken from the Arabic and not a remnant of any non-existent optative.
I am also curious where you are getting your evidence for the statement that the Greek future indicative was originally derived from an aorist subjunctive form (at least with respect to the active and middle voices) since in many cases the aorist and future forms differ radically (i.e., any verb for which the aorist doesn't have the sigma before the aorist endings), and the future endings are indicative endings rather than subjunctive ones (i.e., even arguing the future derives from aorist indicative is easier to justify than saying it comes from aorist subjunctive).
I am also curious where you are getting your evidence for the statement that the Greek future indicative was originally derived from an aorist subjunctive form (at least with respect to the active and middle voices) since in many cases the aorist and future forms differ radically (i.e., any verb for which the aorist doesn't have the sigma before the aorist endings), and the future endings are indicative endings rather than subjunctive ones (i.e., even arguing the future derives from aorist indicative is easier to justify than saying it comes from aorist subjunctive).
Political correctness is the pettiest form of casuistry.
ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius
Ummaka qinnassa nīk!
*MySmiley*
ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius
Ummaka qinnassa nīk!
*MySmiley*
An article on grammar that makes me want to start a slow movie clap.
- 26/04/2012 12:26:21 AM
704 Views
I almost completely agree with them.
- 26/04/2012 02:38:06 AM
438 Views
Misusing "Literally" is one of the few grammar issues that actually bothers me.
- 26/04/2012 05:18:21 AM
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I'm with you on all points. Furthermore, misuse of "literally" isn't a grammar issue at all.
- 26/04/2012 07:07:11 PM
356 Views
I never did get that fuss about "literally".
- 26/04/2012 08:12:14 PM
399 Views
Your example is slightly different from e.g. "My blood was literally boiling". *NM*
- 27/04/2012 02:13:05 PM
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I used the article's example. But I don't see why your example is any different in that regard. *NM*
- 27/04/2012 07:03:03 PM
129 Views
Yeah, literally in hyperbole doesn't bother me. But I also don't mind when people mock its usage. *NM*
- 27/04/2012 08:21:05 PM
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You clearly need to watch more English football coverage, Sky in particular.
- 28/04/2012 02:01:11 PM
379 Views
They provide the wrong rationale for good/well
- 26/04/2012 02:55:10 AM
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Hopefully you be right... hm, I don't know about that one. 
- 26/04/2012 08:22:05 PM
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- 26/04/2012 08:22:05 PM
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Sometimes, I do actually use that construction when speaking to others near me
- 26/04/2012 09:10:02 PM
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If I'm not mistaken, the Future Indicative evolved from and replaced some of the Subjunctive.
- 27/04/2012 09:44:33 PM
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There was never an optative in recorded Latin or later Romance languages.
- 27/04/2012 09:58:11 PM
318 Views
It's not Ojala which makes me think there's a connection between the Conditional and Optative
- 28/04/2012 04:28:35 AM
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