NZSL311 Key term Wk7

Syntax

The rules or conventions in a language for the ‘correct’ or acceptable ordering of words in a sentence

Word Class

Categories of words /signs according to the role they play in a sentence.

Main word classes

noun, verb, adjective, adverb, determiner, auxiliary verb, preposition, conjunction, pronoun, interjection

Open class

Speakers of a language can create and add new words in these word classes: nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs

Closed class

Speakers cannot usually create new words in these classes – they are ‘closed’ or fixed: determiners, auxiliary verbs, prepositions, conjunctions, pronouns and question signs e

Constituent

Major parts or elements in a sentence, such as a subject (an entity) and a verb (or a predicate). Constituent order can refer to the order of words in a sentence or elements in a clause.

Clause

A group of words that includes a predicate, usually a verb. Often sentences in SL are made up of a single clause. A clause may or may not contain a verb

Predicate

The predicate specifies what the subject is or does, or tells what is done to the subject. A predicate usually contains a verb and may also contain a modifier, an object, or complement. Simple predicate examples: He sneezed. My sister moved. They are wealthy. A complete predicate contains a verb and modifying phrase(s) (everything that is not the subject): They will travel to Nelson for Christmas; Dan has been studying since lunchtime.

Transitive verb

A verb that requires two arguments (entities) – a subject or ‘agent’, and an object or ‘recipient’ of the action. The meaning of transitive verbs often involves transfer or impact of some kind (e.g., give, ask, love, sell, annoy, save, push, take, teach, help)

Intransitive verb

A verb that requires only one argument - a subject or ‘do-er’ (e.g., cough, die, play, think, write)

Arguments

The grammatical entities or roles that interact with a verb: there are various terms to refer to these, grouped into: subject/ agent/ 2 actor (initiates an action/ verb) and object/ benefactor/ undergoer (experiences the action/verb)

What are the different Sentence types (functions)

Declarative (stating). The bus stop is at the corner

Interrogative (asking). How often does the bus come?

Imperative (commanding/requesting). Meet me at the bus stop please. Don't be late.

Exclamative (expressing reactions such as surprise, approval etc.) Amazing! Uh-oh! Really? C’mon! Jokes!

Polar question

Seeks a ‘yes or no’ answer: Did it rain? Can I come? Are you ready?

Content question

Open-ended question – seeks information: what, why, who, where, when, how, how many, which

Sentence final

Indicates that the position of a constituent is at the end of a sentence (ditto for ‘clause final’)

Coordination

A relationship between clauses in a sentence that have equal status, to join or contrast information using and, or, but

Subordination

A relationship within a sentence in which one clause is subordinate to a main clause, such as a conditional or relative clause – the subordinate clause can't stand alone because it depends on the main clause (We’ll go to the park if the weather clears; I only watch movies that have subtitles)

Topicalisation

A process for marking which constituent or clause of a sentence represents the ‘topic’ – or the part of the sentence which the signer wants to make prominent or important (focus)

Indicating verb

Transitive verbs in SL that are inflected (by movement direction) to ‘indicate’ the subject and object of a verb. Also known as ‘agreement’ verbs because their direction agrees with subject/object argument locations.