Acknowledgements
Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind.
BERTRAND RUSSELL, Autobiography
The present book is the revised version of my doctoral dissertation with the same title, which was successfully defended (cum laude) at Radboud University Nijmegen in June 2021. It was written as part of Corien Bary’s research project Unraveling the Language of Perspective, supported by the European Research Council (erc Starting Grant 338421-perspective).
The contents of this book are, for the most part, the same as the original dissertation, but I have made firm changes in its structure. The first theoretical chapter has been split into two distinct chapters, several sections have been relocated, and the final chapter has been expanded with a summary overview. In addition, I have incorporated most of the comments and suggestions from those who have read the dissertation: unclear examples have been replaced, sections rewritten or adjusted, and overly tentative passages removed. Finally, I have updated the book to include the latest literature on Greek particles.
In the preface to my dissertation, I compared my time as a PhD student to riding a heavy mountain stage in the Giro d’Italia, conquering the infamous Passo di Gavia, Passo dello Stelvio, and Passo del Mortirolo. From this perspective, working on the present book was like reaching the finish line dead tired but still going for an extra training ride to the Madonna del Ghisallo. But again, I was fortunate enough to have a great many supporting people who helped me reach this next summit, too. I am grateful to all of them, but some deserve a special word of thanks.
First, I am grateful to my supervisors, Corien Bary and Rob van der Sandt, for their incredible support, confidence, and patience when I was writing my dissertation. Then to Markus Egg for the stimulating and inspiring discussions we had in Berlin and Nijmegen. Many insights I gained during our sessions have ended up in this book in one way or another.
Of my other colleagues in academia, I am especially indebted to Rutger Allan, Ad Foolen, Arjan Nijk, the late Albert Rijksbaron, and Gerry Wakker. They have all thoroughly read my dissertation and provided me with many valuable comments and suggestions to improve my work. Rutger and Ad are also thanked for their continued encouragement to get the book published. The book’s editorial team, in particular Giulia Moriconi (Brill) and Manon Vrolijk (TAT Zetwerk), deserve great credit for their pleasant cooperation.
Finally, I could not have written this book without the support of my close friends, my parents, my family, and especially Anke and Mieke. Thank you for your endless love, care, and just being there. It is time for yet another big adventure and I am very much looking forward to it.
Kees Thijs
Deventer, July 2024