Unit 1.

Introduction: the concept of grammar

1.1. Grammar and language

a) Differences between languages

Spanish vs English:

Adjectives. Number (sing. vs pl.): oveja / s sheep /()

Gender (masc. vs fem.): rubia / o blonde /()

Verbs Future tense: I will pass Aprobar

Therefore every language needs its own descriptive framework.

b) Grammar as a set of rules

Grammar is, therefore, the set of rules that allow us to combine words into languages units.

Native vs non-native speakers. Grammar makes explicit the innate knowledge of language that
native speakers have.

c) The difference between knowing a language and knowing about a language

- Ingls Instrumental: it helps non-native speakers to learn and apply the rules
- Lengua Inglesa: it provides the knowledge / reasons / background that determine the rules of a
language.

d) The concerns of grammar

Greenbaums notion of grammar: grammar is equalled to syntax

Phonology
Grammar Semantics
Orthography

Others:

Grammar

Phonology Morphology Syntax Semantics Pragmatics

Orthography

For descriptive purposes it is convenient to deal with the components of language separately.

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1.2. Grammar and effective communication: towards a good written expression

a) Grammar vs Communication

There is not good or bad grammar, but good or bad communication.

One of the requirements of this subject.

b) Principles of good behaviour in the use of language:

i. Make your language easy to follow

- Sentence length

Avoid too long or too short sentences

Break group of sentences into paragraphs

- Emphasis

Subordination: Spotlight effect of Main clauses.

Subordination vs coordination

e.g. The patient was given the medicine and began to recover
immediately
The patient, who was given the medicine, began to recover
immediately.

- Ordering: focusing effect of final position

End-focus: the final position of a sentence is the most important in terms

of information.

e.g. Although Rachel was not sure she said she wouldnt go
She said she wouldnt go although she wasnt sure

Initial position is also important: it sets the scene for what follows.

End-weight: it places heavy constituents after a light one rather than a

light one after a heavy one. This variable is related with the complexity
of sentence constituents.

e.g. The rate at which the American people are using up the
worlds supply of irreplaceable fossil fuels and their refusal
to admit that the supply is limited is the real problem.

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ii. Be clear

Avoid structural ambiguity and use a vocabulary as precise as possible.

e.g. The dog bit the cat and it didnt give it any importance
The murderer killed the gardener with the saw

iii. Be economical

Reduce as much as possible: avoid repetition and redundancy:

- Use of ellipsis, and
- Use of pro-forms (he, so, do...).

e.g. My brother enjoys squash more than my brother enjoys tennis.

My brother enjoys squash more than he does tennis
My bother enjoys squash more than tennis

iv. Be clear but concise: clarity vs economy

Reduce as much as possible unless unclarity results.

e.g. When the headmistress visited Pams house to talk about her mother she
was afraid that she would tell her about her misconduct.

v. Be effective

If we want to create a special effect on communication (we want to be effective rather

than efficient), we may wish to favour:

Expressive repetition
Elegant variation in:
Length and complexity of sentences
Position and type of subordination
Type and position of Adverbials
Type and position of Modifiers