Crypto-active passive
Crypto-active passive ( κρυπτός kryptos "hidden", "secret") is an expression from the Latin grammar . It means that a passive verb form is used in a sentence construction , but the meaning is active; i.e., it is a hidden active in a passive form. This should be taken into account in the translation.
In particular, this expression is used in the participle constructions of the ablative absolutus (for a better understanding read this article with its examples). Here, the verb is in the passive form of the participle of prematurity passive ( past participle passive PPP ) to express the prematurity of the participle to the main set. This can only be expressed with the PPP, since a participle of the prematurity active does not exist. The acting person of the participle construction is known (usually the subject of the main clause ). She is the carrier of the action and so it is actually an active construction. Therefore, the participle construction of the ablative absolutus should be translated with an active subordinate clause (usually temporal clause with after ).
example
| translation | Ablative absolute | main clause |
| Patre interfecto | Oedipus Thebas venit. | |
| passive: | After the father was killed | Oedipus came to Thebes. |
| active: | After killing the father | Oedipus came to Thebes. |
Differentiation from dumping
The crypto-active passive voice must not be confused with the Deponentia . These are verbs of which only the passive forms are used, but always with an active meaning.
literature
- § 180, pp. 214-216 in Rubenbauer / Hofmann, Latin grammar. Bamberg, CC Buchners Verlag, 10th edition 1977 (numerous reprints).
- § 506 cryptoactive participle constructions page, 724: in H. Menge (author), T. Burkard, M. Schauer, Textbook of Latin Syntax and Semantics, 2007