English Syntax Summary
Overview of English Syntax
Grammar includes morphology and syntax.
Morphology: Formation of words from morphemes.
Syntax: Structure and combination of phrases and sentences.
Universal Grammar (UG)
Defined by Chomsky as the innate system underlying all human languages.
Syntax described by constituents belonging to specific categories.
Competence vs. Performance: Competence is subconscious knowledge of language; Performance is actual use.
Competence vs. Performance
Competence: Fluent use of language, tacit knowledge of grammar.
Performance: Actual language use; subject to errors and misinterpretation due to various factors.
Syntax Analysis Methods
Chomsky’s approach studies cognitive aspects of grammar.
Universal Grammar must be:
Universal: Applicable to all human languages.
Explanatory: Offers reasons for language properties.
Constrained: Simple and consistent.
Learnability of Language
Children acquire language rapidly; grammar must be learnable.
Critical period for language acquisition: Best before puberty.
Chomsky's model posits an innate Language Faculty guiding acquisition.
Structure of Phrases and Clauses
Created using binary merger operations.
Headedness: Each structure based around a head word determines phrase properties.
Recursion allowed in syntax (e.g., phrases within phrases).
Head Movement
T-to-C Movement: Involves movement of tense auxiliaries into the structure's head position.
V-to-T Movement: Moving finite verbs to T in older English; no longer applies in present-day English.
Null Constituents
Components without overt phonetic form yet retain grammatical features.
Types include:
Null subjects: Often seen in Italian and some English imperatives.
Null T: Observed in finite clauses without explicit auxiliaries.
Null C: Found in seemingly complementiser-less clauses.
Polarity Items
Expressions that appear in negative/interrogative contexts, subject to c-command relations.
Some items must be c-commanded by negatives or interrogative elements to be grammatical.