Unit #1: Chapters 1 & 2The Secret Life

of a High School Grammar Snob

Chapter 1: The Three Definitions of Grammar

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 1: The system of rules in our heads

(subconscious, internalized rules)

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 1: The system of rules in our heads

(subconscious, internalized rules)– Go to college

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 1: The system of rules in our heads

(subconscious, internalized rules)– Go to college– Go to university?– Go to hospital?

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 1: The system of rules in our heads

(subconscious, internalized rules)– Go to college– Go to university?– Go to hospital?– Let’s go swimming!

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 1: The system of rules in our heads

(subconscious, internalized rules)– Go to college– Go to university?– Go to hospital?– Let’s go swimming!– Let’s go cooking? Let’s go -----ing?• drawing?• eating?• procrastinating?• thinking?• putting?

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 1: The system of rules in our heads

(subconscious, internalized rules)

This is how we justify textspeak:

r grmr skills r dpletng but i dont care#imsorrymarshbuturpointless

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 1: The system of rules in our heads

(subconscious, internalized rules)

This is how we justify textspeak:

r grmr skills r dpletng but i dont care#imsorrymarshbuturpointless

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 1: The system of rules in our heads

(subconscious, internalized rules)

This is how we justify textspeak:

r grmr skills r dpletng ded but i dont care#imsorrymarshbuturpointless

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 1: The system of rules in our heads

(subconscious, internalized rules)– Transformational Generative Grammar (1957): a

way to describe this internal grammar, i.e. how do we know these internal rules.• Sven brought his son a present.

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 1: The system of rules in our heads

(subconscious, internalized rules)– Transformational Generative Grammar (1957): a

way to describe this internal grammar, i.e. how do we know these internal rules.• Sven brought his son a present.• Sven brought a present for his son.

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 1: The system of rules in our heads

(subconscious, internalized rules)– Transformational Generative Grammar (1957): a

way to describe this internal grammar, i.e. how do we know these internal rules.• Sven brought his son a present.• Sven brought a present for his son.• Sven brought it for his son.

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 1: The system of rules in our heads

(subconscious, internalized rules)– Transformational Generative Grammar (1957): a

way to describe this internal grammar, i.e. how do we know these internal rules.• Sven brought his son a present.• Sven brought a present for his son.• Sven brought it for his son.• Sven brought his son it.

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 1: The system of rules in our heads

(subconscious, internalized rules)– Transformational Generative Grammar (1957): a

way to describe this internal grammar, i.e. how do we know these internal rules.• Sven brought his son a present.• Sven brought a present for his son.• Sven brought it for his son.• Sven brought him it. ???

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 1: The system of rules in our heads

(subconscious, internalized rules)– Transformational Generative Grammar (1957): a

way to describe this internal grammar, i.e. how do we know these internal rules.• Sven brought his son a present.• Sven brought a present for his son.• Sven brought it for his son.• Sven brought him it. ???

So, how good are your internal rules?

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 1: The system of rules in our heads

(subconscious, internalized rules)– Transformational Generative Grammar (1957): a

way to describe this internal grammar, i.e. how do we know these internal rules.• I enjoy visiting relatives.

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 1: The system of rules in our heads

(subconscious, internalized rules)– Transformational Generative Grammar (1957): a

way to describe this internal grammar, i.e. how do we know these internal rules.• I enjoy visiting relatives. • I enjoy visiting relatives.

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 1: The system of rules in our heads

(subconscious, internalized rules)– Transformational Generative Grammar (1957): a

way to describe this internal grammar, i.e. how do we know these internal rules.• I enjoy visiting relatives. • I enjoy visiting relatives. • Patience whispered Mom.

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 1: The system of rules in our heads

(subconscious, internalized rules)– Transformational Generative Grammar (1957): a

way to describe this internal grammar, i.e. how do we know these internal rules.• I enjoy visiting relatives. • I enjoy visiting relatives. • Patience whispered Mom. – “Patience,” whispered Mom. – Patience whispered, “Mom?”

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 1: The system of rules in our heads

(subconscious, internalized rules)– Transformational Generative Grammar (1957): a

way to describe this internal grammar, i.e. how do we know these internal rules.• I enjoy visiting relatives. • I enjoy visiting relatives. • Patience whispered Mom. – “Patience,” whispered Mom. – Patience whispered, “Mom?”

Descriptive Grammar

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 2: The formal description of the

rules (objectively identify the form and structure, the syntax, of sentences)– Structuralism: Grammar 2 defines sentences as

subjects and predicates forming a meaningful thought or idea, but what if it is gibberish?

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 2: The formal description of the

rules (objectively identify the form and structure, the syntax, of sentences)– Structuralism: Grammar 2 defines sentences as

subjects and predicates forming a meaningful thought or idea, but what if it is gibberish?

– Ignore the meaning and look at the forms & structures• It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 2: The formal description of the

rules (objectively identify the form and structure, the syntax, of sentences)– Structuralism: Grammar 2 defines sentences as

subjects and predicates forming a meaningful thought or idea, but what if it is gibberish?

– Ignore the meaning and look at the forms & structures• It ain’t isn’t over ‘til it’s over.

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 2: The formal description of the

rules (objectively identify the form and structure, the syntax, of sentences)– Structuralism: Grammar 2 defines sentences as

subjects and predicates forming a meaningful thought or idea, but what if it is gibberish?

– Ignore the meaning and look at the forms & structures• It ain’t isn’t over ‘til until it’s over.

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 2: The formal description of the

rules (objectively identify the form and structure, the syntax, of sentences)– Structuralism: Grammar 2 defines sentences as

subjects and predicates forming a meaningful thought or idea, but what if it is gibberish?

– Ignore the meaning and look at the forms & structures• It ain’t isn’t over finished ‘til until it’s over

finished.

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 2: The formal description of the

rules (objectively identify the form and structure, the syntax, of sentences)– Structuralism: Grammar 2 defines sentences as

subjects and predicates forming a meaningful thought or idea, but what if it is gibberish?

– Ignore the meaning and look at the forms & structures• It ain’t is not over finished ‘til until it is over

finished.

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 2: The formal description of the

rules (objectively identify the form and structure, the syntax, of sentences)– Structuralism: Grammar 2 defines sentences as

subjects and predicates forming a meaningful thought or idea, but what if it is gibberish?

– Ignore the meaning and look at the forms & structures• It is not finished until it is finished.

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 2: The formal description of the

rules (objectively identify the form and structure, the syntax, of sentences)– Structuralism: Grammar 2 defines sentences as

subjects and predicates forming a meaningful thought or idea, but what if it is gibberish?

– Ignore the meaning and look at the forms & structures• It is not finished until it is finished.

– But what happens when it fails? • Sven brought him it.

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 2: The formal description of the

rules (objectively identify the form and structure, the syntax, of sentences)– Structuralism: Grammar 2 defines sentences as

subjects and predicates forming a meaningful thought or idea, but what if it is gibberish?

– Ignore the meaning and look at the forms & structures• It is not finished until it is finished.

– But what happens when it fails? • Sven brought him it. (Pattern VIII)

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 2: The formal description of the

rules (objectively identify the form and structure, the syntax, of sentences)– Structuralism: Grammar 2 defines sentences as

subjects and predicates forming a meaningful thought or idea, but what if it is gibberish?

– Ignore the meaning and look at the forms & structures• It is not finished until it is finished.

– But what happens when it fails? • Sven brought him it. (Pattern VIII)

Prescriptive Grammar

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 3: The social implications of usage

(linguistic etiquette)– What makes up “good grammar” and “poor

grammar”?– Can we compromise Grammar 1 & Grammar 2?

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 3: The social implications of usage

(linguistic etiquette)

• Below are two sentences, conveying the same meaning, but using different dialects. Which is correct?

1. Sarah brought her mother some flowers. 2. Sarah brung her mother some flowers.

• If you prefer sentence #1, it is strictly a matter of linguistic etiquette.

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 3: The social implications of usage

(linguistic etiquette)

• Let’s consider the use of ain’t:

Follow the structure:

A: Your mother is in a biker gang, isn’t she?B: She isn’t.

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 3: The social implications of usage

(linguistic etiquette)

• Let’s consider the use of ain’t:

Follow the structure:

A: Your mother is in a biker gang, isn’t she?B: She isn’t. A: Your brother is still in rehab, isn’t he?B: He isn’t

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 3: The social implications of usage

(linguistic etiquette)

• Let’s consider the use of ain’t:

Follow the structure:

A: The weather is cold today, ----?

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 3: The social implications of usage

(linguistic etiquette)

• Let’s consider the use of ain’t:

Follow the structure:

A: The weather is cold today, ----?(isn’t it?)

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 3: The social implications of usage

(linguistic etiquette)

• Let’s consider the use of ain’t:

Follow the structure:

A: The weather is cold today, ----?(isn’t it?)

A: You are my friend, ---?

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 3: The social implications of usage

(linguistic etiquette)

• Let’s consider the use of ain’t:

Follow the structure:

A: The weather is cold today, ----?(isn’t it?)

A: You are my friend, ---?(aren’t you?)

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 3: The social implications of usage

(linguistic etiquette)

• Let’s consider the use of ain’t:

Follow the structure:

A: The weather is cold today, ----?(isn’t it?)

A: You are my friend, ---?(aren’t you?)

A: I am your friend, ---?

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 3: The social implications of usage

(linguistic etiquette)

• Let’s consider the use of ain’t:

Follow the structure:

A: The weather is cold today, ----?(isn’t it?)

A: You are my friend, ---?(aren’t you?)

A: I am your friend, ---?(aren’t I?)

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 3: The social implications of usage

(linguistic etiquette)

• Let’s consider the use of ain’t:

Follow the structure:

A: The weather is cold today, ----?(isn’t it?)

A: You are my friend, ---?(aren’t you?)

A: I am your friend, ---?(aren’t I?)

I are not your friend.

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 3: The social implications of usage

(linguistic etiquette)

• Let’s consider the use of ain’t:

Follow the structure:

A: The weather is cold today, ----?(isn’t it?)

A: You are my friend, ---?(aren’t you?)

A: I am your friend, ---?(aren’t I?)

I am not your friend.

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 3: The social implications of usage

(linguistic etiquette)

• Let’s consider the use of ain’t:

Follow the structure:

A: The weather is cold today, ----?(isn’t it?)

A: You are my friend, ---?(aren’t you?)

A: I am your friend, ---?(aren’t I?)

I ain’t your fr

iend.

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 3: The social implications of usage

(linguistic etiquette)– Prescriptive Grammar: (Grammar 2)• John Locke (1693): purpose of teaching grammar was

“to teach Men not to speak, but to speak correctly and according to the exact Rules of the Tongue”• “School Grammar” is to teach literacy, the skills of

reading and writing. • Prescriptive Dictionary: Noah Webster’s An American

Dictionary of the English Language

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 3: The social implications of usage

(linguistic etiquette)– Descriptive Grammar: (Grammar 1)• Rather than prescribing how language should be used,

modern linguists describe the way we speak it in everyday situations • Grammar does not address inflection & stress

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 3: The social implications of usage

(linguistic etiquette)– Descriptive Grammar: (Grammar 1)• Rather than prescribing how language should be used,

modern linguists describe the way we speak it in everyday situations • Grammar does not address inflection & stress– The Pittsburgh Steelers just got a new quarterback.

Who?» Inflect “who” up» Inflect “who” down

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 3: The social implications of usage

(linguistic etiquette)– Descriptive Grammar: (Grammar 1)• They recognize every variety, or dialect, of English as

equally grammatical:– Regionalisms– Colloquialism– Formal English– Vulgarisms– Slang

• Descriptive Dictionary: Oxford English Dictionary

Three Definitions of Grammar• Grammar 3: The social implications of usage

(linguistic etiquette)– Descriptive Grammar: (Grammar 1)• They recognize every variety, or dialect, of English as

equally grammatical:– Regionalisms– Colloquialism– Formal English– Vulgarisms– Slang

• Descriptive Dictionary: Oxford English DictionaryLet’s ta

lk slang