The μn iνα + subjunctive construction in Greek documentary papyri

The construction of μn iνα + subjunctive, which is attested in Greek documentary papyri of the Roman and Byzantine periods, is conventionally explained as an inversion of iνα μή + subjunctive. By reference to various examples, it is argued here that the two patterns (i. e. iνα μή and μn iνα) are not in fact syntactically equivalent variants, but rather convey different meanings and functions on both the syntactic and the pragmatic level. In reality, μn iνα with the subjunctive does not constitute a subordinate clause but rather represents an instance of grammatical ‘insubordination’. The investigation combines a morphosyntactic analysis with a pragmatic and cognitive approach.