case diagram

[R. Rankin]

That's really interesting.  I've been part of an
off-list discussion of this sort of diagramatic
representation of case and my retired colleague, Keith
Percival, who originally brought the diagram to my
attention, believes it may only date from the last
couple of centuries.  The Arabic brings a whole new
dimension to the question.  Any idea how long this
usage has been in Arabic?        Bob

>>> In other words, the lines representing the other
>>> cases formed OBLIQUE angles with the vertical, the
>>> casus
>>> rectus, and, as you moved from case to case, the
>>> angles DECLINED.  Thus the origin of 'declension'
>>> and
>>> 'oblique cases'.

> Arabic does it too marfu' 'raised' is nominative,
> mansuub 'inclined' is
> accusative and majruur 'pulled' is genitive, all
> through of as 1-90 degrees.
> However they may have it from the Greeks
> Bruce