Week 1 - Introduction to grammar ppt

INTRODUCTION TO GRAMMAR Nguyễn Hồng Diệu HULIS - VNU... Grammar and LinguisticsPhonology Semantics Discourse Analysis... Grammar and Linguistics1... Grammar and Linguistics2.. Grammar –

INTRODUCTION TO

GRAMMAR

Nguyễn Hồng Diệu

HULIS - VNU

Course outline

• Subject: Grammar

• Number of credits: 3

• Duration: 15 weeks

• Course books

– Quirk & Greenbaum (1973) A university

grammar of English

– Close (1974) A university grammar of English - Workbook

Course outline

• Objective

– to develop an understanding of the fundamentals of English grammar

• Prerequisite

– good command of English

• Main areas

– Morphology

– Syntax

Course outline

• Course content

– Word formation

– Sentence elements – Parts of speech

– Phrases

– Clauses

– Sentences

Course outline

• Class activities

– Lectures

– Discussion of readings

– Presentations

– In-class tutorials

• Self study

– Review of the theory

– Practice exercises (Workbook) – Tutorial exercises

Course outline

• Assessment

– Mini tests + Participation: 10%

– Mid-term test: 30%

– Final test: 60%

• Ground rules

– No coming late

– No phone ringing in class

– No text message & late call to teacher – All deadlines must be met

– Pay due respect to the speaker

Grammar and Linguistics

Phonology Semantics Discourse Analysis

Grammar and Linguistics

1 Phonology

– Subject: Phonemes

(the smallest linguistic units)

– Subclasses:

• Segmental

– Vowels – Consonants

• Supra segmental

– Stress rhythm – Intonation

Grammar and Linguistics

2 Grammar

– Subject: Morphemes

(the smallest meaningful linguistic units)

– Types of morphemes:

• Words (parts of speech)

• Phrases (NP, VP, etc.)

• Clauses (independent & dependent)

• Sentences (simple, compound and complex)

Grammar and Linguistics

3 Semantics

Concerned with:

• The meanings of words

• Utterances (phrases, clauses and sentences)

4 Discourse analysis

Concerned with:

• Larger units than sentences

• Means of linking sentences (cohesion & coherence)

• The relational factors: context

Grammar as a set of rules

• Grammar must be explicitly taught

• Grammar is absolute and fixed

• Grammar is inherently difficult and

confusing, only apparent to language

teachers or linguists

Look at the sentences below and decide whether it is G (grammatical), N

(ungrammatical) or ? (not sure)

• _ She had less problems with the move to

a new school than she thought she would.

• _ She lays in bed all day whenever she

gets a migraine headache.

• _ My sister Alice, who is older than me,

still lives at home.

• _ Everyone needs to buy their books

before the first day of class.

Language and change

• How people express themselves vs How language experts say they should

• There is no uniform agreement among

experts as to what is “correct” or acceptable

• The nature of language: a living, fluid entity that changes in response to changes in

society (Sentence 4)

Language is rule-governed

• Grammar guides speakers in how to string

together symbols, sounds, and words to make

coherent, meaningful sentences

• Grammar knowledge is intuitive and reflects the

innate ability of speakers

• One can use and adapt new/unique elements

according to the patterns of the language

Example:

Beware the Jabberwock, my son!

The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!

Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun

The frumious Bandersnatch!

(Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll)

Using the previous analysis to draw

conclusions about the italicized words

And, as in uffish thought he stood,

The Jabberwock, with eyes on flame,

Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,

And burbled as it came!

One two! One two! And through and through

The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!

(Carroll, L (1871) Through the looking glass and what Alice found there)