Linguistics Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for a Syntax lecture.

Syntax

The study of how words combine to form phrases and sentences.

What is a Sentence?

1. HIGH-LEVEL UNIT

2. LINEAR STRUCTURE WITH HIERARCHIES

3. SCENARIOS OF MEANING

Sentence

A high-level unit composed of words ordered into larger chunks (phrases).

Clause

Expresses a whole event/situation with a subject and a predicate. A syntactic unit usually smaller than a sentence. NP-VP- structure.

e.g. "The cat sleeps."
"She runs quickly."

Constituent

A component part of a clause that fulfills a function. For example, a noun phrase or verb phrase that can stand alone or be part of a larger structure. They constitute the clause. Constituents can be simple (one word) or complex (more words). They fulfil functions.

Linear Structure

Sentences string together words one by one creating a linear structure with clear ordering.

Hierarchies

Some elements in a sentence are 'weightier' than others and govern less 'weightier' bits.

Syntactic Creativity

Elements (phrases) in sentences can be expanded and sentences creatively enlarged ad infinitum.(PRODUCTIVITY, RECURSIVENESS).

Syntactic Functions

Functions taken over by phrases in a sentence (e.g., subject, predicate, object).

Form

are word classes and types of phrases. (e.g. noun, verb, adjective)

Function

The role a phrase fulfills in a sentence (e.g., direct object).

Functional Types of Sentences

>> DECLARATIVE

>> INTERROGATIVE

>> EXCLAMATORY

>> IMPERATIVE

Declarative Sentence

makes a statement.

e.g. This is a spectacular canyon.

Interrogative Sentence

asks a question.

e.g. What canyon is this?

Exclamatory Sentence

expresses strong emotion/exclamation

e.g. What a spectacular canyon; if only I could see it!

Imperative Sentence

gives a command.

e.g. Hike that canyon.

Complex Sentence

Formed by combining clauses. dependent + independent clause

e.g. Although it was raining, we decided to hike.

Independent Clause

Also known as a main clause;Can stand alone as a sentence.

e.g. Tom cried..

Dependent Clause

Also known as a subordinate clause. It cannot stand alone as a sentence

e.g. …because it was raining,

TESTING FOR CONSTITUENTS

A number of tests can be used to find out which words belong together and form clause consJtuents.

>> movement

>> pro-noun subsJtuJon

>> question

Movement

A test used to find out which words belong together and form clause constituents.

e.g. Shifting phrases to the front of the sentence.

Pro-noun Substitution

A test used to find out which words belong together and form clause constituents.

e.g. Tom was tired → He was tired

Question

A test used to find out which words belong together and form clause constituents.

e.g. Tom was tired → who was tired? - Tom

Expand

To increase the size or complexity of a constituent.

Add

To include extra constituents with new functions.

Types of Constituents

>> SUBJECT: who/what (doing the acJon)

>> PREDICATE: process/acJon

>> COMPLEMENT: (OBJECT or ATTRIBUTE)

>> OBJECT: who/what (affected by acJon)

>> ATTRIBUTE: characterisJcs of object/person

>> ADVERBIAL: when/where/how etc.

Internal Structure of Phrase

The arrangement and relationships of constituents within a larger linguistic unit, such as a phrase or sentence.

Modifiers

Words or phrases that add detail or clarify other constituents in a sentence.

e.g. adjectives, adverbs, or phrases that enhance meaning.

Types of Phrases

Ex. 1 / NOUN PHRASE

Ex. 2 / ADJECTIVE PHRASE

Ex. 3 / VERB PHRASE

Ex. 4 / ADVERB PHRASE

Ex. 5 / PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE

Noun Phrase

Determiner + Head Noun + Postmodifier (Adv.)

Adjective Phrase

Premodifier (Adv.) + Head Adjective + Postmodifier (PP)

Verb Phrase

Premodifier (Adv.) + Head Verb + Complement (pronoun)

Prepositional Phrase

Headed by a preposition; the preposition is the head.

Auxiliaries

(tense, aspect, modality).

e.g. be (am, is, are, was, were, been, being)

have (has, have, had)

do (do, does, did)

Lexical Functional Grammar

A linguistic theory considering syntax and semantics as parallel, interacting structures.