際際滷

際際滷Share a Scribd company logo

Various fallacies concerning English Grammar

Download as PPTX, PDF
N
Nurul Syazlin

This document discusses common grammar fallacies, or false ideas about linguistic rules. It defines grammar fallacies and examines four specific examples: the idea that some languages have no grammar; that simplicity or complexity determines a grammar; that grammars should be logical and analogical; and that spoken and written language grammars are equivalent. While languages have differing levels of complexity, all languages have underlying rule systems or grammars that govern their structure and use. Grammars also naturally contain some irregularities that arise over time.

1 of 8
Downloaded 11 times
Nurul Syazlin bt Anuar Nur Amirah bt Hazalan Haffiz LET 104 GRAMMAR FALLACIES
What is grammar fallacies? Definition: Denham and Lobeck (2010), grammar is defined as a complex system of rules that governs how speakers organize sounds into words and words into sentences. In Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, fallacy is defined as a false idea that many people believe is true. Thus, grammar fallacies can be defined as the false idea about linguistic rule system
Grammar fallacies 1. There are languages that have no grammar or little grammar. Grammar is considered as linguistic rule system that governs how a language operate. Thus, every language has grammar equally operative. There is no language that have no grammar if grammar is considered as the rule on how a language operates.
2. Simplicity and complexity of grammar Simple grammar Complex grammar Mandarin (Chinese) - No inflections of verbs, nouns, pronouns or adjectives within the word itself. Same character for me, I and mine. - Chinese grammar is extremely regular, almost entirely free of exceptions/artifacts. - Lack of foreign grammar American Indian languages ( extreme) Greek, Latin, Sanskrit Earliest form of the Indo-European languages, which has been reconstructed, probably had a more elaborate inflectional system than classical languages such as Greek, Latin, and Sanskrit
3. Grammars should be logical and analogical There were several attempts to eradicate illogical features of English grammar. Example : double negatives: I dont want none = I do want some Over time, certain irregularities smoothed out. Example: b坦c (book)/ b辿c (books) book / books However, there are some irregularities have been retained Example: ox /oxen, mouse/mice
In pronunciation, irregular forms are introduced as Middle English emerged during 14th century. Example: five/fifteen Thus, no regular and perfect language exists.
4) Equating the grammar of the spoken language with the written language Spoken language Written language 1) More fragmented with phrases or clauses that strung together with conjunctions. 1) More embedded Has oppositive or dependent clause. Independent clause usually at 2nd position. 2) Typically more disfluent Repetitions Conversation fillers ( erm,yeah.I know) 3) Abandoned though units
References https://www.quora.com/Which-language-has-the- easiest-grammar http://www.grammarmudge.cityslide.com/articles/ article/426348/2731.htm Denham, K. & Lobeck, A. (2010). Linguistics for Everyone : An Introduction. Cengage Learning: Wadsworth.

More Related Content

Various fallacies concerning English Grammar

  • 1. Nurul Syazlin bt Anuar Nur Amirah bt Hazalan Haffiz LET 104 GRAMMAR FALLACIES
  • 2. What is grammar fallacies? Definition: Denham and Lobeck (2010), grammar is defined as a complex system of rules that governs how speakers organize sounds into words and words into sentences. In Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, fallacy is defined as a false idea that many people believe is true. Thus, grammar fallacies can be defined as the false idea about linguistic rule system
  • 3. Grammar fallacies 1. There are languages that have no grammar or little grammar. Grammar is considered as linguistic rule system that governs how a language operate. Thus, every language has grammar equally operative. There is no language that have no grammar if grammar is considered as the rule on how a language operates.
  • 4. 2. Simplicity and complexity of grammar Simple grammar Complex grammar Mandarin (Chinese) - No inflections of verbs, nouns, pronouns or adjectives within the word itself. Same character for me, I and mine. - Chinese grammar is extremely regular, almost entirely free of exceptions/artifacts. - Lack of foreign grammar American Indian languages ( extreme) Greek, Latin, Sanskrit Earliest form of the Indo-European languages, which has been reconstructed, probably had a more elaborate inflectional system than classical languages such as Greek, Latin, and Sanskrit
  • 5. 3. Grammars should be logical and analogical There were several attempts to eradicate illogical features of English grammar. Example : double negatives: I dont want none = I do want some Over time, certain irregularities smoothed out. Example: b坦c (book)/ b辿c (books) book / books However, there are some irregularities have been retained Example: ox /oxen, mouse/mice
  • 6. In pronunciation, irregular forms are introduced as Middle English emerged during 14th century. Example: five/fifteen Thus, no regular and perfect language exists.
  • 7. 4) Equating the grammar of the spoken language with the written language Spoken language Written language 1) More fragmented with phrases or clauses that strung together with conjunctions. 1) More embedded Has oppositive or dependent clause. Independent clause usually at 2nd position. 2) Typically more disfluent Repetitions Conversation fillers ( erm,yeah.I know) 3) Abandoned though units
  • 8. References https://www.quora.com/Which-language-has-the- easiest-grammar http://www.grammarmudge.cityslide.com/articles/ article/426348/2731.htm Denham, K. & Lobeck, A. (2010). Linguistics for Everyone : An Introduction. Cengage Learning: Wadsworth.