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Date: | Thu, 18 Nov 2004 19:08:43 -0800 |
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Distinguishing form from function gets around Craig's call for
subcategorization of direct objects--that we say there are subclasses of
direct objects. What we divide into subcategories are the verbs -- I
believe most modern linguists believe that verbs dictate what can follow
(and in some cases precede) them. Keep the number of subcategories in
the grammar to a minimum.
I share Martha's concern about getting too theoretical for the practical
needs of teachers on the list. However, I hope that bringing out the
form/function difference is helpful. As Martha says, it resolves some of
the problems with traditional grammar teaching, and gives a more
insightful view of how flexible our grammar is as an expressive tool.
I think Craig worries too much about superficial treatments of grammar.
A rich theory of semantics & discourse (including pragmatics, or social
rules for using and interpreting language) incorporates his concerns.
The problem is that we don't yet have a teaching grammar that is based
on these concerns as well as the structural ones. It will take time to
develop it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Johanna Rubba Associate Professor, Linguistics
English Department, California Polytechnic State University
One Grand Avenue • San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
Tel. (805)-756-2184 • Fax: (805)-756-6374 • Dept. Phone. 756-2596
• E-mail: [log in to unmask] • Home page:
http://www.cla.calpoly.edu/~jrubba
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