12: The Concept of Grammar
Grammar as the system of a language; more than just "rules."
Grammar as a reflection of language: Language changes over time; grammar reflects the language at a specific point in time.
Grammar and language learning: Not always necessary for native speakers, but crucial for learning a second language efficiently.
English Grammar and Historical Events: The evolution of English influenced by historical changes.
Grammar Models
Ancient Times
Greek and Roman Scholarship: Plato, Aristotle, and Stoics focused on grammatical analysis.
Grammar origins: Derived from the Greek word grammatike (art of writing).
Middle Ages
Influence of Latin through Christianization.
Printing Press: Helped standardize language.
Port Royal Grammar: Recognized grammar as a mental process.
Renaissance
Latin and Greek Influence on English grammar.
Normative Grammar (Prescriptive)
Definition: Set of rules for "correct" usage, focused on the idea of "correct" vs. "incorrect" language.
Grammar-Translation Method
Focus: Learning through rules, vocabulary lists, and translation.
Goal: Understanding classical texts, not speaking fluency.
Weaknesses: Lacks focus on spoken language, results in memorization without real-world application.
Descriptive Grammar (20th Century)
Definition: Describes actual language use rather than prescribing how it should be used.
Behaviourist Approach
Influence: Theories of Pavlov, Skinner, and Bloomfield; focused on habit formation.
Audiolingual Method: Emphasized oral proficiency through drills, mimicry, and memorization.
Structural Grammar (Ferdinand de Saussure)
Langue vs. Parole
Langue: The social system of language, shared by all speakers.
Parole: Individual use of language in specific contexts.
Arbitrary Signs: The relationship between the signifier (word form) and signified (concept).
Transformational-Generative Grammar (Noam Chomsky)
Competence vs. Performance
Competence: Internal knowledge of language rules.
Performance: Actual use of language in communication.
Innatism: Language learning is biologically programmed.
Critical Period Hypothesis: Suggests a time limit for optimal language acquisition.
Communicative Grammar
Focuses on language in use; integrates form, meaning, and communicative function.
Halliday’s Functional Grammar:
Language in context: Language use shaped by social and communicative settings.
Grammatical and Pragmatic Competence: Mastery of syntax, lexis, morphology, phonology, and communicative acts.
How to Teach Grammar?
Inductive Approach
Definition: Students discover grammar rules through examples of language use.
Advantages: Engages learners in active exploration, promotes deeper understanding.
Deductive Approach
Definition: The teacher presents grammar rules explicitly, followed by practice exercises.
Advantages: Efficient for explaining complex rules, especially for older or more advanced learners.
Combination of Approaches
Balanced Method: Combines the advantages of both inductive and deductive approaches to maximize understanding and engagement.
Necessity of Grammar for Language Learning:
For second language learners: Grammar is a tool for faster, more efficient learning.
For native speakers: Not necessarily studied but acquired naturally.