Linguistic connections in the syntax of negation: The Greek and Latin Gospels

The Latin Vulgata version of the Gospels is compared to the Greek original for possible translation effects in the expression of negation, well known as a vulnerable domain for contact. Specifically, this paper focuses on negative concord patterns which are present in the Greek original but are expected to be ungrammatical in Latin. The Vulgata is shown to be very conservative: Greek negative concord patterns are rendered by structures that comply with the Latin grammatical system, although faithfulness to the original is preserved through choices concerning word order. Factors favoring the observed conservative qualities of Latin are explored, together with the broader consequences for the reconstruction of the diachronic scenario leading to the negative concord systems of the Romance languages.