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What is the standard tactic of supporters of sentence syntax as explorations in 'functional grammar' accumulate in volume and significance?
What is the standard tactic of supporters of sentence syntax as explorations in 'functional grammar' accumulate in volume and significance?
To claim the study of discourse is unreasonable as long as problems remain in the study of sentence-level syntax.
'Functionalism' is the very restriction of the investigation to an artificially defined level of "sentences".
'Functionalism' is the very restriction of the investigation to an artificially defined level of "sentences".
False
What specific piece of writing did Victoria Fromkin submit a brief state-of-the-art report on linguistics for?
What specific piece of writing did Victoria Fromkin submit a brief state-of-the-art report on linguistics for?
The Chronicle of Higher Education
What does "Emergent Grammar" propose to bypass?
What does "Emergent Grammar" propose to bypass?
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Emergent Grammar claims grammar is the source of understanding and communication.
Emergent Grammar claims grammar is the source of understanding and communication.
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Grammar is always in a process but never arriving.
Grammar is always in a process but never arriving.
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What is the central point of the concept of 'Emergent Grammar' regarding the nature of grammatical structures?
What is the central point of the concept of 'Emergent Grammar' regarding the nature of grammatical structures?
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Although several uses exist for 'a/an', what are two of the primary senses that have been traditionally seen as exhaustively dividing up the domain of the indefinite article?
Although several uses exist for 'a/an', what are two of the primary senses that have been traditionally seen as exhaustively dividing up the domain of the indefinite article?
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Real live discourse abounds in all sorts of repetitions that have nothing to do with grammar.
Real live discourse abounds in all sorts of repetitions that have nothing to do with grammar.
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List three examples of common phrases that demonstrate the concept of real-time discourse having repetitions unrelated to formal grammar.
List three examples of common phrases that demonstrate the concept of real-time discourse having repetitions unrelated to formal grammar.
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'Grammar' can be easily and consistently applied in practice.
'Grammar' can be easily and consistently applied in practice.
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The concept of 'grammar' itself is intrinsically unstable and indeterminate.
The concept of 'grammar' itself is intrinsically unstable and indeterminate.
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Is 'grammar' a mentally represented set of rules that speakers possess? If so, is this truly a real-time grammar or something used for real-time communication?
Is 'grammar' a mentally represented set of rules that speakers possess? If so, is this truly a real-time grammar or something used for real-time communication?
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What is the name of the 'essay by the cultural anthropologist James Clifford' that the term 'emergent' is taken from?
What is the name of the 'essay by the cultural anthropologist James Clifford' that the term 'emergent' is taken from?
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Study Notes
Emergent Grammar
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Functional grammar research has increased significantly, causing proponents of sentence syntax to argue that analyzing discourse is unnecessary if sentence-level issues are unresolved.
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The speaker-hearer accesses not only the mentally represented language system but also other cognitive systems and world knowledge.
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The basic scenario of language involves a pre-discourse linguistic system, present in all speakers and hearers, as a prerequisite for language use. This system relies on abstract, mentally represented rules that are already available for use.
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The term "emergent" in grammar derives from cultural anthropology, where it refers to a process of emerging grammar, as opposed to a fixed set of rules.
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Emergent grammar does not look at origins or a historical development of language, but rather, at the way grammatical structures are constantly evolving in real time.
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Grammar is not a prerequisite for discourse, but instead emerges and is negotiable through interaction. Individual speaker experiences and assessments, including assessments of their interlocutors, shape the interplay of grammar.
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Grammar is not independent of but a product of communication.
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Grammar is constantly developing, based on social and environmental situations.
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Grammar, like language itself, is viewed in real time, and always developing.
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This process of emerging understanding may involve a tiny fraction of data or a selection, and the privileging of specific categories/groups. It is likely contentious and open to political influences, disputed interpretations, and different perspectives.
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Grammar is not a pre-fixed template, but fluid. It's shaped by interactions, past experiences and assessment of the context.
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Grammar is always tied to the utterance and isn't a pre-defined system.
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The notion of "grammar" as a set of rules to define and apply is confusing and imprecise. A general idea of grammar and a clear definition are easily conceived, but putting it into practice is complex given its ever-changing nature.
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Real-life language is filled with repetitions (idioms, proverbs, phrases, formulas, transitions, etc.) that aren't always tied to "grammar" in the usual sense. Therefore, grammar is not a consistent and stable concept.
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Examples of expressions that illustrate emergent concepts of grammar include common proverbs and idioms such as "A bird in the hand..." and "Better late than never".
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The indefinite article "a/an" has evolved from a simple numerical concept of "one" in Indo-European languages and still retained a similar meaning in Old English. But over time, these meanings developed. In old English, "a/an" was used in different contexts (e.g., introducing people/things into a discourse and general use as indefinite articles) than in later language usage.
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Description
Explore the innovative ideas surrounding emergent grammar and its significance in functional grammar research. This quiz delves into how grammatical structures evolve in real-time and the implications for language use, challenging traditional views on syntax and discourse.
