xs to ξ

Greek Learning Greek
1

διώξω = Future active indicative
διώξομαι = Future middle indicative
διωχθήσομαι = Future passive indicative

I’m sure there’s a good reason why the xs wasn’t converted to ξ in the future passive indicative. Could someone please point me in the right direction. Thanks.

2

In the future passive, the two letters aren’t contiguous.

3

A similar consonant pattern can be found in δεικνυμι i.e. δειξω, δειξομαι, δειχθησομαι

Here’s my (neophyte) take on the matter. CGCG section 1.88 talks about a morphological process called assimilation in consonant clusters where in some Greek sequences of two consonants, the first sound becomes more like the second sound. Specifically in sec. 1.89 it says:

“A labial or velar stop before a dental stop became voiceless, voiced or aspirated in the same manner as the dental stop; thus the only possible combinations are πτ/κτ (voiceless), βδ/υδ (voiced), and φθ/χθ (aspirated).”

In other words, ξθ doesn’t occur because it would be a consonant cluster consisting of a voiceless consonant ξ followed by a voiceless (aspirated) consonant θ. As I understand it, here ξ is considered voiceless not aspirated because when these sound changes happened ξ wasn’t aspirated (it was pronounced kh like the English word “chorus”).

4

Hi Pianophile,

Subject to correction by a more phonologically savvy member:

It has something to do with the change of σθε to θε to avoid excessive consonant clusters in the case of consonantal stems (in your case, to avoid the cluster ξ + σθε, the sigma is dropped and the kappa of the stem is reduced to the fricative χ)

This isn’t the future passive but I think it’s analogous:
When a perfect middle/passive stem ends in a consonant, a sound change is necessary in certain cases to assimilate the final consonant of the stem to the initial consonant of the ending. With all consonant stems, a succession of three consonants in the second and third plural is avoided; in the second plural the σ of the ending (-σθε) is dropped,

and similarly:
The perfect infinitives and participles are formed from the same stems as the corresponding indicatives (the reduplication or the temporal/syllabic augment of the perfect indicative stem is not dropped). The infinitive endings are -έναι (act.) and -σθαι (mid./pass. With consonantal stems this ending undergoes the same changes as -σθε).

Betts, Gavin; Henry, Alan. Complete Ancient Greek: A Comprehensive Guide to Reading and Understanding Ancient Greek, with Original Texts (Complete Language Courses) (pp. 271-272). John Murray Press. Kindle Edition.

Hope that helps (or at least doesn’t hinder :slight_smile:

5
6

Thanks everybody for such rapid responses. I shall now try and get my head round the relevant sections in CGCG. I expect Smyth too might have something interesting to say on this topic. Again many thanks.