M. A. K. Halliday: In his essay “Descriptive Linguistics in Literary Studies”, Halliday (1970) explains that the categories and methods of descriptive linguistics are as much applicable in the analysis of literary texts as in the analysis of any other kind of textual materials. In this approach, he focuses the attention on the revelation and precise description of language features which might remain undiscovered because of inexact linguistic investigation. Halliday in his approach uses the term ‘application’ to refer to the study of literary texts by theories and methods of linguistics. He focuses on one branch of linguistics, that is, descriptive linguistics (the study of how language works). This contrasts with both historical …show more content…
In his approach, he stresses only on ‘grammar for interpretation’. In the structure of a sentence, Sinclair recognizes two aspects of linguistic organization which plays a vital role in the setting up of intra-textual patterns in literary texts. The first one is called release clause / phrase and the second is named arrest clause / phrase. The former refers to the interposition of arresting adverbial to interrupt the sentence and delay its completion. For example, in the following three first lines of the poem mentioned above Sinclair explains the meaning of arrest: ‘Lambs that learn to walk in snow, When their bleating clouds the air, Meet a vast unwelcome………...’. Here, the syntactic pattern NP (Lambs that learn to walk in snow) and Vph (meet a vast unwelcome….) are interrupted by the inserting of adverbial clause arrest or bound clause because it delays the completion of the sentence Stressing on grammar, Sinclair pinpoints some lexical and contextual matter. He points out: “Grammar deals with contrasts, multiple choices from a great many systems simultaneously, and the meaning of a grammatical statement can only be full elicited with reference to the total grammatical description. Nevertheless, the exercise shows how some aspects of the meaning of the poem can be described quite independently of evaluation”. (Sinclair 1966:81)
Geoffrey Leech: Geoffrey Leech in his approach
Language corresponds to countless appellations, as the expresser of thought and ultimate origin of philosophy, influencing the world of knowledge with its astonishing qualities. The very essence of cooperation and communication relies eternally on the inspired art of language, without which any possible human development could occur. Furthermore, the perception of verbal communication splits between two realms, reality and literature, constituting two linguistic variations, figurative and literal. Throughout the world of literature, figurative language adds depth and dimension to
Sinclair’s use of descriptive, in depth diction serves to promote a reaction out of the reader, by depicting as thorough as possible his evidence and reasoning, similar to the purpose of his intense tone. However, this descriptive diction does more than just provoke a response out his audience as his tone does, it also strengthens the supporting evidence and reasoning behind his message.
Of the countless examples of figurative language in Night I have decided to perform my in-depth analysis of the following three examples dispersed throughout the book.
Many people believe that material things will bring you peace and happiness. That is not always that case though.Everyone at some point in their life had gone through something that they thought would have a major positive impact on their life, but ultimately, it affected them very negatively. These can include anything from money, to power, even to women. Bernard Malamud explains these example in his book, The Natural, with his character, Roy Hobbs. Roy is the Knights star baseball player, when all goes wrong. He starts to chase different women, believing that those people will lead him to happiness in the end. Roy Hobbs is the main character in the book, The Natural, who finds himself in tough situations, and finally discovers that what he wanted from the start, won’t actually make him happy in the end.
Directions: Identify whether each group of words is a PH (phrase) or a CL (clause).
Determination is a key part of life because it can get you through tough situations. It is easy to give up in hardships, but determination is so much more important. In NightJohn by Gary Paulsen, readers realize that though they may be in a tough situation, determination can get them through it and achieve your goals.
A writer's craft of the English language, is like a spiders web, beautiful and unique. It is necessary so the story can be woven in to create a masterpiece. The author can change the story entirely by changing the way the narrator speaks. In “The Cask of Amontillado”, “The Scarlet Ibis”, and “The Lady, or the Tiger”, each craft of language provides a vivid background for the story to unfold. The way each writer provides certain vocabulary, and way of speaking enhances the reader's experience by giving the reader a chance to guess the time period. Readers also guess the area the story is taking place by using their knowledge that different regions in countries have different slang. The way the narrator speaks and which vocabulary they use creates
In most literature, syntax takes a standard form that most can recognize. Despite this standard form, the author still has a great deal of leeway in developing sentences to create moods and convey thoughts. The author may choose longer sentences or shorter sentences. He or she may use larger words that flow or shorter words that help break up the passage. The possibilities are virtually endless.
One of the most common idea used throughout literature and film is the incompetent are the mastermind behind heinous crimes. Although this idea is overused, Ursula Le Guin is able to add her own twist to that concept. Her short stories, specifically "The Rule of Names," "The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas," and "The Wife's Story" perpetuates the idea of deception. The characters may appear innocent and humble; however, Le Guin shows the audience how these overlooked characters are more complex than they appear. From the deception, it leaves the reader questioning ideas of identity, the pursuit of happiness, and equality.
Syntax: “the study of the rules for the formation of grammatical sentences in a language” (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/syntax). The idea of analyzing the grammar in a poem, one of the few pieces of literature that finds a lack of attention grammar acceptable, many would find it to be absurd, although in reality it much about the reality it is quite the opposite. The amount of attention to detail actually reveals how far in depth the writer is in touch with their emotion and/or thought of their own mind they are entrenched in. Throughout the majority of the poem the author interchanges between proper grammar to problematic sentences; including fragments, sentence fragments, run
The Language Wars have been waged in the realm of English Literature, Language and Linguistics for years. Both sides of the argument are staunch believers in their position, but are more than willing to concede points to the other sides’ favour. In Bryan A. Garner’s essay, “Making Peace in the Language Wars”, he describes himself as a ‘descriptive prescriber’ (Garner, Making Peace in the Language Wars 2008, 270), and offers a truce that fulfils both sides of the argument as the crux of his essay. While the separate sides of the argument are relatively easy to define, it seems that no one sticks to them religiously, and the argument is between individuals fighting over individual points. The two sides are that of the descriptivist and that
“The relationship between the energies of the inquiring mind that an intelligent reader brings to the poem and the poem’s refusal to yield a single comprehensive interpretation enacts vividly the everlasting intercourse between the human mind, with its instinct to organise and harmonise, and the baffling powers of the universe about it.”
Throughout twenty-centuries ago, writers thought that ordinary language and literary language were two different languages. But this is an analytical assumption. There is only one language, which
Here is the interpretation and analysis of the poem based on the sections that respect the grammar and meaning of its sentences:
The grammatical constructions in the story are well documented in terms of the content words or functional words which include; the nouns and the verbs. The lexical density of the words in the clause and sentence can also bear more witness to this. Some of the sentences or clauses have not less than twelve content words which imply that there also twelve content words in the sentences. This is in consistent with Halliday (1985b), that a single clause should be able to contain a lexical density of twelve words. The grammatical usage seems very easy and simple for the students to understand when reading the story. This is bound to improve the student’s grammatical knowledge and usage; students improve their grammatical knowledge in this respect, hence, the need for choosing this story.