Introduction to Sociolinguistics - ….ppt

* * The movement test Another indication is that phrases can be moved as a single unit to a different position within the sentence (this is called a movement test) Example, They stopped [PP at the corner] [PP at the corner], they stopped. * * * * The coordination test A group of words forms a constituent if it can be joined to another group of words by a conjunction such as and, or, or but. (This is labeled the coordination test since patterns built around a conjunction are called coordinate structure). Example, The children [VP often sweep the floor] but [VP never clean the wall]. * * read a book or walk the dog V NP Con V NP VP VP VP this man and that child Det N Con Det N NP NP NP * * Transformation Transformation is a special type of rule that can move an element from one position to another. Transformation can be in the form of Inversion and insertion Inversion moves the auxiliary from the Infl position to a position to the left of the subject. Insertion adds a special auxiliary verb. * * Inversion in yes-no questions Will the boy leave? The boy will leave the Boy will leave Det N Infl V NP VP S Will the boy ----- leave? * * Deep Structure Vs. Surface Structure Will the boy leave? The boy will leave Will the boy ----- leave? the Boy will leave Det N Infl V NP VP S Deep structure Surface Structure Inversion process * * Wh-Movement The man should repair which car? Which car should the man ----- repair ------? inversion Wh-Movement * * Do insertion Those birds sing those birds do sing Do those birds ---- sing? * * References Eagleson, R. D., Threadgold, T., Collins, P. (1985). Inside language. Melbourne: Pitman Publishing. Fromkin, V., Blair, D., Collins, P. (2000). An introduction to language. New South Wales: Harcourt Australia Pty Limited. OGrady, W. (1997). Syntax: The analysis of sentence structure. In W. OGrady, M. Dobrovolsky F. Katamba (Eds.), Contemporary linguistics (pp. 181-244). Essex: Pearson Education Limited. OGrady, W.,