What is Syntax in Language, Definition and Example of Syntax

 

What is Syntax in Language, Definition and Example of Syntax

In this writing, we will take at the approach to syntax that was adopted by Chomsky. The syntax is one of the studies that learning the way of phrases and sentences are structured out of the word, such as the question like what is the structure of the sentence what is the teacher doing? From its question, we will get a question that what is the grammatical operation by which its component words are combined to form the overall sentence structure? To answer this question, we will discuss it below.

The Definition of Syntax

What is Syntax in Language, Definition and Example of Syntax

What is the syntax in language? In the study of language, the syntax is an important foundation stone for understanding how every human makes communication and interaction with each other as a human. Andrew (2006: 5), states that the dominant theory of syntax is due to Noam Chomsky and his continuing colleagues starting in the mid-1950s and continuing to this day. This theory, which has had many different names through its development (Transformation Grammar (TG), Transformation Generative Grammar, Standard Theory, Extended Standard Theory, Government and Binding Theory (GB), Principle and Parameters Approach (P & P), and Minimalism) is often given the blanket name Generative Grammar. Several alternative theories of syntax have also branched off the program, this includes Lexical-Function Grammar (LFG) and Head-Driven Phrase Structure Grammar (HPSG).

Another theory about syntax coming from Robert (2004: 1), admits that syntax deals with how sentences are structured, and users of human languages employ a striking variety of possible arrangements of the elements in the sentence. One of the most obvious yet, important ways in which language differs is the order of the main elements in a sentence. In English, for example, the subject comes before the verb and the direct object follows the verb.

 

The syntax can this be given the following characterization, taken from Matthews (1982: 1); “The term of “syntax” is from the Ancient Greek syntaxes, a verbal noun which means “arrangement” or “setting out together”. Traditionally, it refers to the branch of grammar dealing with how words, with or without appropriate inflection, are arranged to show connections of meaning within the sentence.

From the understanding above, we can take the conclusion that the leading theory of syntax comes from Noam Chomsky and his colleagues. Syntax as a branch of linguistics deals with a set of rules for analyzing the language. Or we can say it as for arrangement, the words and phrases creating a well-formed sentence in the language.

The aspect of Syntactic Structure

What is Syntax in Language, Definition and Example of Syntax

 

Where will we find the aspect of syntactic structure? It will be found in the syntactic structure of the sentences based on Robert (2014: 4). There are two distinct, yet interrelated aspect which must be distinguished. It will be explained below.

1.    The function of elements as subject and direct in a sentence

The subject and the direct object have traditionally been referred to as grammatical relations. Hence this kind of syntax will be referred to as relation structure it includes more than just grammatical relations like the subject and direct object; it also encompass the relation like modifier-modified example “tall building or walk slowly” (tall and slowly = modifier, and building and walk = modified) possessor-possessed example “Pat’s car” (Pat’s = possessor and car = possessed).

2.    The organization of units which constitute a sentence

The sentence will not consist simply of a string of words; that is in a sentence. For example, “the teacher read a book in the library” it is not the case that each word is equally related to words adjacent to it in the string. There is no direct relationship between read and or between in and the. They will explain below. 

a.   a is related to book, which it modifies.

b. Just as the is related to library, which it modifies.

c.   a is related to read only through a book being the direct object of reading, and similarly.

d.  The is related to in only through the library being the object of the preposition in.

The word is organized into units that are then organized into large. These units are called constituent, and the hierarchical organization of the units in a sentence is called constituent structure.

Syntax Structure in language     

What is Syntax in Language, Definition and Example of Syntax

                 

When we concentrate on the structure in language? We will focus on the structure and order of components of sentences, it means that we are studying the syntax of the language. The syntax of the structure of language describes a generative grammar. The grammar will generate all the well-formed syntax structure of the language and will not generate any ill-formed structure. The grammar should also be capable of revealing the basis of two other phenomena. The first is how some superficially different sentences are closely related, and the second is how some superficially similar sentences are different. 

Symbol Used in Syntactic Description

George (2006: 89), argues that symbols are using in syntax but there are commonly used in the syntactic description. And it will explain below. 

a. The form of an arrow →

It can be interpreted as “consists of” as an optimal constituent.

b. The pair of round brackets ()

These round brackets will be treated as an optimal constituent.

c. The form of curly brackets {}

These indicate that only of the elements enclosed within the curly brackets must be selected.

This list of symbols and abbreviations is summarized below.

· S = Sentence

· NP = Noun Phrase

· PN = Proper Noun

· N = Noun

· VN = Verb Phrase

· Adv = Adverb

· V = Verb

· Adj = Adjective 

· Prep = Preposition 

· Art = Article

· Pro = Pronoun

· PP = Preposition Phrase

· → = “consist of” or ‘rewrite as”

· () = optional constituent

· {} = one and only of these constituents must be selected.

Conclusion

The study of syntax is one of the important things for understanding how every human making communication and interacting with other humans. It has a function as the grammatical operation by which its component words are combined forming the overall sentence structure. In the aspect of the syntactic structure, we can find at the function of elements as a subject, direct object in a sentence, and the organization of units that constitute a sentence. There are some symbols used in the syntactic description. They are arrow, brackets, curly brackets, and others. 

Reference

Andrew carnie. (2006; 5). Syntax a generative introduction. USA: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

George Yule. (2006). The study of language. UK; Cambridge university press.

Robert D. Van Valin, Jr. (2004). An introduction to syntax. UK; Cambridge university press.