MORFOSINTASSI INGLESE
(Capitoli 3,4 di Handbook), comprare dizionario tra quelli consigliati, comprare DISPENSA.
Linguistics is the scientific study of language. Many levels of language.
GRAMMAR OF ENGLISH
What is grammar? A set of rules which allow the production of well-formed sentences or
utterances.
Native vs. Non-native: first one follows the rules of grammar intuitively and develop
independent varieties of English which may deviate from the standard rules of grammar,
second one need to study grammar in a more explicit way.
Written grammar is different from Spoken grammar.
Different grammar approaches:
Descriptive approach. Descriptive grammar describes how a language is actually used
Prescriptive approach. Prescriptive grammar provides rules for correct usage but it’s
considered old (Shakespeare English but we don’t use it)
Different type of grammar:
THEORETICAL GRAMMARS: are analytical models elaborated by linguists.
e.g. Chomsky’s framework
e.g. Halliday’s Systemic Grammar: a method of analysis based on the conception of language as a
network of systems determining the options from which speakers choose in accordance with their
communicative goals.
Introduce new Metalanguage (i.e. terms and concepts related to these new theories).
STRUCTURAL GRAMMAR: a means of analyzing written and spoken language, concerned with how
elements of a sentence such as morphemes, phonemes, phrases, clauses and parts of speech are
put together.
Word class membership is established. Smaller structures are expanded to larger ones.
Universal Grammar vs. the grammar of a particular language (N. Chomsky)
a) Syntax and semantics not linked (Collocation/Colligation e.g. white wine which is not
white)
b) Deep vs. Surface structure (Deep/underlying structure, Surface structure e.g. active and
passive forms)
c) Tacit knowledge: the linguistic intuition of the native speaker, the capacity to acquire
knowledge by innate ideas and principles
