grammar myths
The degree of ‘grammarness’ of a language is determined by the complexity of its inflectional morphology
the morphology myth
apparent
obvious
very clear
Word order
How sentences are structured
syntax
•[S V] – They slept
intransitive
BrEng: loo (WC)
AmEng: restroom (bathroom)
Essentially a set of rules, grammar is all about what is correct and incorrect in language use.
the normative myth
affable
amiable
warm hearted
very friendly
Considered the central unit of syntax
a complete idea
"everything between two full stops"
sentences
•[S V DO] – I will find you and I will kill you
monotransitive
BrEng: 1st floor
AmEng: 2nd floor
Speech is a degenerated or perverted version of writing.
That is, we find correct grammar in writing and incorrect grammar in speech.
the writing myth
terrified
panic stricken
petrified
very afraid
what sentences are made of
clauses
•[S V IO DO] – The lady bought her child an ice cream
ditransitive
BrEng: chemist
'AmEng: drug store
Educated people are better at using correct grammar than uneducated people are
-- consequently, people who use incorrect grammar are dumb.
the education myth
tedious
monotonous
pedestrian
very dull
what clauses are made of
clause constituents
•[S V DO OC] – They considered the old man a fool
complex transitive
BrEng: motorway
AmEng: freeway (highway)
There is only one correct version of language.
Any language that deviates from this version
is incorrect or degenerated.
monolithic myth
swamped
overwhelmed
very busy
verbal inflected for person, number, and mood
finite
•[S V SC] – I’m Batman!
linking/copula
BrEng: queue
AmEng: line