Verbs in -sc- between Inflection and Derivation. Lexicographic Representation and Theoretical Issues

Latin verbs in -sc- have long intrigued linguists, who have explored their semantics and derivational history. However, their classification as either inflectional or derivational has received much less attention. This paper delves into the lexicographic representation of these verbs and its implications for annotation practices, and critically examines the inflection-derivation distinction, focusing on the remarkable fact that perfectum forms are shared by both sc-verbs and their counterparts without -sc-. This suggests a potential shift toward considering forms in -sc- as part of inflection rather than derivation. Additional evidence in favour of such a view is provided by the fact that, semantically, the ‑sc- suffix appears to relate more to (grammatical) aspect than Aktionsart. The paper discusses these complexities and offers alternative representation options that align with recent theoretical proposals and have practical advantages.