Syntax and Grammar
"Syntax refers to the study of how words combine systematically to form meaningful strings such as phrases, clauses, and sentences" (Curzan and Adams, 2012).
"A second language cannot be taught simply by teaching the grammar" (Teaching grammar, Available through EDIC 5423 English Linguistics online course)
"The most common challenge an English language learner will face is the sheer complexity of the language they will be encountering in texts and in academic discourse" (Teaching grammar, Available through EDIC 5423 English Linguistics online course)
"A second language cannot be taught simply by teaching the grammar" (Teaching grammar, Available through EDIC 5423 English Linguistics online course)
"The most common challenge an English language learner will face is the sheer complexity of the language they will be encountering in texts and in academic discourse" (Teaching grammar, Available through EDIC 5423 English Linguistics online course)
Theories of Grammar
Chomsky's generative grammar theory - explains how language is possible and how every child has the ability to learn language. This theory is based on the idea that linguistic competence is a precursor to linguistic performance. It holds to the concept of Universal Grammar: "the system of principles, conditions, and rules that are elements or properties of all human languages" (Curzan and Adams, 2012, p. 166) Generative grammar indicates rules that make some grammatical structures possible and others impossible.
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Usage-based linguistics - challenges the traditional theory of generative grammar by acknowledging that the most important function of language is communication. Usage-based linguistics "focuses on what speakers actually do with language, rather than what they theoretically do" (Curzan and Adams, 2012, p. 191).
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Terms to know
- Parts of speech (lexical categories) - describe classes of words that behave similarly in the grammar of a language
- Open class Lexical Categories include noun, adjective, verb, and adverb
- Closed class lexical categories include preposition, conjunction, pronouns, determiners, and auxiliary verbs.
- Aspect - marks whether an action of a verb is completed (the perfect) or continuous (the progressive).
- Voice - describes the relationship of the subject to the action of the verb and is either active or passive
- Mood - indicates the attitude toward what the speaker is expressing.
- Constituents - syntactic units that fit into larger units that fit into complete sentences.
Implications for teachers
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