Functional discourse grammar: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 07:12, 18 May 2010

Revision as of 16:07, 12 June 2010

Line 1:

{{orphan|date=April 2010}}

'''Functional Discourse Grammar''' is a [[grammar]] theory that explains how [[Natural language| linguistic]] utterances are shaped, based on the goals and knowledge of natural language users. In doing so, it contrasts with Chomskyan [[transformational grammar]]. Functional Discourse Grammar has been developed as a successor to [[Functional Grammar]], attempting to be more psychologically and pragmatically adequate than Functional Grammar <ref>{{cite book|first1=Kees|last1=Hengeveld|first2=J. Lachlan|last2=Mackenzie|date=August, K.2008|title=Functional andDiscourse LachlanGrammar - A Typologically-Based Theory of Language Structure|___location=Oxford|publisher=Oxford University Press|ISBN=978-0-19-927811-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Mackenzie, J. Lachlan / Gómez-González, María de los Ángeles (2008eds).|title=Studies in "Functional Discourse Grammar",|publisher=Peter Oxford:Lang OxfordPublishing University Press.Group|date=2005|ISBN=978-3-03910-696-7}}</ref>.

The greatest unit of analysis in Functional Discourse Grammar is the [[discourse]] move, not the [[Sentence (linguistics)|sentence]] or the [[clause]]. This is a principle that sets Functional Discourse Grammar apart from many other [[linguistics|linguistic]] theories, including its predecessor [[Functional Grammar]].

== Principles of Functional Discourse Grammar ==

Line 7 ⟶ 9:

There are a number of principles that guide the analysis of natural language utterances according to Functional Discourse Grammar.

The first is that Functional Discourse Grammar explains the phonology, morphosyntax, pragmatics and semantics in one linguistic theory. According to Functional Discourse Grammar, linguistic utterances are built up top-down. Thatin meansthis thatorder firstby thedeciding upon:
# The [[Pragmatics| pragmatic]] aspects of the utterance
# are decided upon, then theThe [[Semantics| semantic]] aspects, thenof the utterance
# The [[Morphosyntax| morphosyntactic]] aspects, and finallyof the utterance
# The [[Phonology| phonological]] aspects. of the utterance

The greatest unit of analysis in Functional Discourse Grammar is the [[discourse]] move, not the [[Sentence (linguistics)|sentence]] or the [[clause]]. This is a principle that sets Functional Discourse Grammar apart from many other [[linguistics|linguistic]] theories, including its predecessor [[Functional Grammar]].

According to Functional Discourse Grammar, four components are involved in building up an utterance:
* theThe conceptual component, which is where the communicative intention that drives the utterance construction arises;
* theThe grammatical component, where the utterance is formulated and encoded according to the communicative intention;
* theThe contextual component, which contains all elements that can be referred to in the history of the discourse or in the environment;
* and theThe output component, which finally realizes the utterance as sound, writing, or signing.

The grammatical component consists of four levels:
* theThe interpersonal level, which accounts for the [[pragmatics]];
* theThe representational level, which accounts for the [[semantics]];
* theThe morphosyntactic level, which accounts for the [[syntax]] and [[morphology (linguistics)|morphology]];
* and theThe phonological level, which accounts for the [[phonology]] of the utterance.

== Example ==

As anThis example, we will analyzeanalyzes the utterance "I can't find the red pan. It is not in its usual place." according to Functional Discourse Grammar at the interpersonal level.

At the interpersonal level, this utterance is one discourse move, which consists of two [[speech act|discourse acts]], one corresponding to "I can't find the red pan." and another corresponding to "It is not in its usual place"."

* The first discourse act consists of:

** A [[declarative]] [[illocutionary force]]

Line 47 ⟶ 59:

== External links ==

Functional Discourse Grammar Homepage [http://www.functionaldiscoursegrammar.info/ Functional Discourse Grammar Homepage]

[[Category:Grammar]]