grammar 4

Introduction to Morphosyntactic Features

  • Module presented by Kate Crowley and co-author Chad Grossman.

  • Focus on morphosyntactic features of American English dialects, particularly adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, and conjunctions.

Adjectives

Definition and Function

  • Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns, enhancing description.

Types of Adjectives

  1. Attributive Adjectives:

    • Occur before the noun.

    • Example: "He ate the red apple." (red modifies apple)

  2. Predicative Adjectives:

    • Occur after a copula.

    • Example: "The apple is red." (is as the copula)

  3. Post Positive Adjectives:

    • Occur immediately after nouns.

    • Example: "Something useful." (useful modifies something)

Degree of Comparison

  • Adjectives express degree through:

    • Positive: "Tina is happy."

    • Comparative: "Tina is happier than Jim."

    • Superlative: "Bill is the happiest student in the class."

African American English Variations

  • In African American English, comparatives/superlatives are regularized:

    • Example: "He the baddest" instead of "He is the worst."

    • The form "badder" and "baddest" replaces standard usage.

    • Example: Nike advertisement featuring "the baddest".

  • Additional forms include: "He the most happiest" (irregular use of most with superlative)

Spanish Influenced English Variations

  • Different adjective order:

    • Example: "The corn yellow" (translated from Spanish).

  • Use of more for comparatives:

    • Example: "He ran more fast than her."

Chinese Influenced English Variations

  • Altered adjective order:

    • Example: "She bought jacket new."

  • Regularization seen in comparatives:

    • Example: "Gooder" instead of "better".

Adverbs

Definition and Function

  • Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

Types of Adverbs

  1. Manner Adverbs:

    • Indicates how an action is performed.

    • Example: "She ran quickly."

  2. Place Adverbs:

    • Indicates where an action takes place.

    • Example: "I looked everywhere."

  3. Time Adverbs:

    • Indicates duration or frequency of events.

    • Example: "The newspaper is delivered daily."

  4. Degree Adverbs:

    • Indicates intensity or degree.

    • Example: "Sally is really smart."

Identifying Adverbs and Adjectives

  • Distinguishing between adjectives modifying nouns and adverbs modifying verbs:

    • Example: "Beautiful" modifies the noun "day" (adjective).

    • Example: "Beautifully" modifies the verb "sings" (adverb).

Prepositions

Definition and Function

  • Prepositions indicate relationships between a noun/pronoun and other words.

Types of Prepositions

  1. Simple Prepositions:

    • One-word prepositions (e.g., "to").

    • Example: "I am going to school."

  2. Complex Prepositions:

    • Multi-word prepositions (e.g., "in front of").

    • Example: "Put the chair in front of the desk."

Functions of Prepositions

  • Indicate:

    • Time: "I will arrive in the afternoon."

    • Place: "Put the ball in the box."

    • Direction: "I’m moving to France."

    • Manner: "I traveled by train."

Dialect Variations

  • African American English:

    • Omission of prepositions, e.g., "Get out my room."

  • Spanish Influenced English:

    • Different preposition forms; e.g., "put the apple in the plate."

  • Chinese Influenced English:

    • Omission of prepositions; e.g., "We go train."

Conjunctions

Definition and Function

  • Conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses.

Types of Conjunctions

  1. Coordinating Conjunctions:

    • Connect clauses of equal weight.

    • Example: "She went to the movies and I stayed home to clean."

    • Remembered with the acronym FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

  2. Subordinating Conjunctions:

    • Connect clauses of unequal status.

    • Example: "I thank the man who helped me."

Dialect Variations

  • In Chinese Influenced English, conjunctions may be omitted:

    • Example: "You, I visit tomorrow."

Conclusion

  • Summary of morphosyntactic features explored:

    • Variations in the use of adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, and conjunctions across different dialects.

  • Acknowledgments to clinicians providing real-world examples in bilingual contexts.