English Syntax- Summary

In the past two months i fell like i have accomplished a great deal. As i focus on it more i realize i have become a better reader. I did this by concentrating on my readings and take my time to read them. With the help of my professor and classmates i began to analyze what i read.

When caught up in a good book, we assume the non-stop reading and page turning action is because of the plot. However, Karin de Weille gives credit to something that does not cross our minds while engulfing ourselves in stories we wished knew no ending. This overlooked literature superhero is syntax. Karin de Weille goes unto detail on just how important syntax is in her article “How Syntax Moves Us”. Through examples such as “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Gilman, Weille is able to put together interesting details on how syntax is like a dance for our minds.

Identify the sentence with the correct word choice. a) Sadly, I except your resignation. b) Sadly, I excel your resignation. c) Sadly, I accept your resignation. d) Sadly, I assail your resignation. a) b) c) d) a) b) c) d) a) b) c) d) a) b) c) d) Let's divide the work between the three of us. Let's divide

Every language has a grammar: a set of patterns and rules that we learn to use when we're reading.

In 1939, a remarkable woman, won a remarkable prize. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings was awarded a Pulitzer prize for all of her hard work on her novel The Yearling. I believe that this award was well deserved because when looking at the great use of syntax, figurative language, and sensory details, I was astounded.

b) with forms and the structure of words (morphology) and with their customary arrangement in phrases and sentences (syntax )

He makes an important hypothesis that universal grammar (UG). UG is a characterization of these innate principle of language faculty, I-language. (5) He then postulates some detailed structure of UG. It is a system of conditions on grammars, constraints on the form and interpretation of grammar at all levels, from the deep structures of syntax, through the transformational component, to the rules that interpret syntactic structures semantically and phonetically. The study of linguistic universals, which is classified as formal or substantive, is the study of the properties of UG for a natural language. (6) Substantive universals concern the vocabulary for the description of language and a formal linguistic universal involve the character of the rules that appear in grammars and the ways in which they can be interconnected. Language-acquisition device uses primary linguistic data as the empirical basis for language learning to meet explanatory adequacy that is defined in UG, and to select one of the potential grammars, which is permitted by UG.

Yet, although Kozol may have shown being arrogant and using condescending tones, one of his strongest parts of his essay is his use of syntax. Some of his sentences are elegant and well-formed which the readers can often see when he tries to explain or prove a point about people who are illiterate. But some of his sentences are short and choppy. Some even seem to be almost personified and make clear the confusion and thought process of people who are illiterate. For example, he use imaginary to paint a picture for the reader in pg. 10 where he dreamed he was in a world where nothing makes sense, not having any dictionary and ID card with him, and then waking up from the dream in a panic. With this, he compares his panic to illiterate people

Some linguistic models try to explain the development of second language acquisition. The three most common models are (1) the Universal Grammar Model, (2) the Competition Model, and (3) the Monitor Model. The Universal Grammar Model refers to the system of principles, conditions, and rules that are properties or elements of all human languages. At the same time, each language has grammatical rules that vary from one language to another. Thus, Chomky states that different languages have a limited possibility of different grammatical structures (1975). Therefore, second language learners base their second language acquisition on universal principles common to all languages, and on the force of the particular rules of each language. All of those can be concluded that as a human, especially as children, we have vary form of rules in language, in this case is second language.

From the reading of chapter 3 there were many different topics that were discussed. The main topics were socialization, norms, and roles. But the topics that I found most interesting to me were language acquisition, societal differences in roles and culture, and culture shock.

It is not uncommon to say that grammar instruction plays an important role in language teaching. Regarding the status and importance of grammar teaching, a variety of opinions have been made. Batstone (1994) states that “language without grammar would be chaotic: countless words without the indispensable guidelines for how they can be ordered and modified” (p. 4). More vividly, Wang (2010) makes two similes. She compares grammar to the frame of a house, which is a decisive factor to ensure the solidness of it. Additionally, she regards grammar as a walking stick, whose function is to help and support students to learn English. Thus, the nature of grammar instruction manifests its own significance as it helps students

Larsen-Freeman (2001) as cited in Mart (2013), describes grammar as a system of meaningful structures and patterns that are governed by particular pragmatic constraints. This clearly indicates that grammar plays a crucial role in learning the target language. Grammar instruction is one of the most difficult issues that people have encountered in language learning and teaching. Therefore, the best way to overcome this issue is by

In this essay I will discuss the definition of the concept grammar in linguistic science and thee attitude teachers may have towards such a conceptualization of what grammar is. I will go into detail by explaining perspective and descriptive grammar.

Modern day linguistics has seen the arrival of many different viewpoints of language. Beginning with Noam Chomsky, unquestionably one of the most influential figures in recent linguistics, new theories and ideas have been introduced at a rapid rate. In part due to his status as a revitalizer in the field, but also due to his often controversial theories, Chomsky maintains a place at the center of this discussion. His search for a universal grammar and criticism of pure descriptivism have informed generations of research. Much of this has been reactionary against him, but his influence can not be discounted. His theories of a universal grammar have inspired writers on both sides of the debate. Paul Hopper argues against this view, positing

First of all, you need to build vocabulary. Building vocabulary involves learning the meaning of the words, their spelling, and pronunciation. Unlike in English, each word has a gender in many languages like French, Spanish, and German. You need to memorize the gender of a word in order to use it correctly. You also need to learn the conjugations of verbs and adjectives. That is where you cross the border between the vocabulary and grammar.