The Syntax of Two-Term Comparative Constructions in Old French

A review of P. Jonas Les Systemes comparatifs a deux termes en ancien francais ([Two Term Comparative Systems in Old French] U de Bruxelles, 1971). Jonas examines linguistically & philologically two fundamental types of OFR constructions: (1) On se poist an li ausi com an un mireoir - a three-term comparison without a marker (On se poist an li mirer = first term; ausi com = conjunctive morpheme; & an un mireoir = second term), & (2) Plus voit Mahum que seint Perre de Rume - a three term comparison (voit Mahum = first term; seint Perre de Rume = second term; & que = conjunctive morpheme) with a marker, ie, plus. The basic comparative idea in the first type is expressed by the conjunctive morpheme. The study of the second type occupies most of Jonas's attention. Since he follows grosso modo the "mentalistic" "Guillaumian" approach, the article attempts to examine the proper nature of linguistic explanation: "Can we explain linguistic phenomena better if we move to the level of fundamental operations of the mind?" (terms basic to Jonas's approach). Since there is a basic limit to explanation, a cautious "no" is the tentative answer. Modified AA