Thursday, 26 December 2013

Grammatical Cohesion - English



   Grammatical cohesion
1.1.            Reference
Reference is used to describe the different ways in which entities-things, people, events- are referred to within texts. There are range linguistic features, which enables speakers and writers to make such References, for example pronouns - may refer to entities already mentioned or about to be mentioned.

1.1.1.      Personal reference
It is a reference by means of function into a speech situation through the category of the person in the form of personal pronouns. The category of persons includes the three classes of personal pronouns. The category of person includes the three classes of personal pronouns.
Examples:
1)      The banker was annoyed of the fact that while he tossed and turned in his bed at night, the pauper slept peacefully and always awoke rested and full of energy.
2)      He decided to find out why the pauper was a happy man in spite of his poverty. So he summoned him to his house and asked him his yearly income because he believed that happiness could only be measured in terms of wealth.
3)      He decided to hide the bag, so that he would have the money if ever he should need it.
4)      So, when he returned to his house, he dug a big hole in a secluded corner of the garden, threw the bag into it, and covered it with dirt.
5)      Finally, he could bear his unhappiness no longer. He went to the garden, dug up the coins and returned them to the banker.
The example number 1 shows that “The banker” is the same person with “he”. So in this case, “he” refers back to “The banker”, and we can say it is an anaphoric.
      In the second example, we can find that “the pauper” is the same person with both “him”. So, both “him” refer back to “the pauper”; it is called anaphoric too.
      In the third example, “the money” is the same thing as “it” and we also call it an anaphoric. Anaphoric also found in the fourth and fifth       example – “a big hole” and both “it”, both “it” refer back to “a big hole”; and “the coins” is the same thing as “them”, so “them” refers back to “the coins”.

1.1.2.      Demonstrative reference
Demonstrative reference is essentially a form of verbal pointing. The speaker identifies the referent by locating it on scale of proximity. In the case of the demonstratives, however, there are certain differences in meaning between the functions of Modifier and Head; a demonstrative functioning as Head is more like a personal pronoun.
Examples:
1)      I earn what I need. And even that would be too much were it not for all the Sundays and holidays when I must close my shop.”
2)      Now, to the pauper these coins, which meant so little to the banker, seemed a great fortune. He decided to hide the bag, so that he would have the money if ever he should need it. So, when he returned to his house, he dug a big hole in a secluded corner of the garden, threw the bag into it.

In the first example, “I earn what I need” is same as “that”. It shows that “that” refers back to “I earn what I need” and we call it anaphoric. “that” is called demonstrative reference because it shows or demonstrates something.
“Now” in the second example, is one of the circumstantial (adverbial) demonstrative and refers to the location of a process in space of time. In this example, “Now” demonstrates the condition or time when the activity is doing.

1.1.3.      Comparative reference
By “general comparison” is meant comparison that is simply in terms of likeness and unlikeness, without respect to any particular property: two things may be the same, similar or different (where “different” includes both “not the same” and “not similar”). General comparison is expressed by a certain class of adjectives and adverbs (separated from each other by a comma I the above lists).
Examples:
1)      So it was inevitable that the rich man will be happier than the pauper.
2)      One day the banker could stand it no longer.
3)      Every night he slept a little less, and each time he heard the slightest sound, he became anxious about the safety of his coins.
4)      Finally, he could bear his unhappiness no longer.
5)      Every night he slept a little less, and each time he heard the slightest sound, he became anxious about the safety of his coins.
“Happier than” in the first example has a comparative reference because it compares the “rich man” and “the pauper”.
“Longer” in the second example compares the time or conditions of the action “stand”, present condition and future condition (time).
“Less” in the third example compares the quantity of action “slept”, it means that the present quantity (of “slept”) less than before.
 “Longer” in the fourth example compares the time or conditions of the action “bear”, compares the present condition and future condition (time).
“Slightest” in the latest example shows that it is a superlative comparison; it is the slightest sound (if it is compared with another sound).


1.2.            Substitution
Substitution is replacement of one linguistic item by another. An ellipsis is also a kind of Substitution where one linguistic item is replaced by nothing/ zero. Therefore it is an omission of an item.
When we talk about replacement of one item by another, we mean replacement of one word/phrase with another word or phrase. We can say substitution is a relation on lexicogrammatical level. It is used to avoid repetition of a particular item. But while locating cohesion through substitution semantic is involved.
1.2.1.      Nominal Substitution
The substitute ‘one/ones’ always functions as Head of a nominal group, and can substitute only for an item which is itself Head of a nominal group.
Examples:
1)      Once upon a time there lived a pauper and a banker. The first was as poor as the second was rich.
2)      Once upon a time there lived a pauper and a banker. The first was as poor as the second was rich.

1.2.2.      Verbal Substitution
The verbal substitute is “do”. This operates as head of a verbal group. Lexical verb is replaced by do and its position is on the final in the group. This operates as the Head of the verbal group, in the place that occupied by the lexical verb. Its position is always final in group.
      Examples:
1)      I don’t count too well, nor do I really care.

1.2.3.      Clausal Substitution
It is another type of substitution in which what is presupposed is not an element within the clause but an entire clause. In clausal substitution the entire clause is presupposed, and the contrasting element is outside the clause.
Examples:
1)      The pauper had learned an important lesson, and so has the banker.
2)      But their natures were opposite, for the poor man was happy whereas the banker was not.

1.3.            Ellipsis
It is another cohesive device. An occasion when words are deliberately left out of a sentence, though the meaning can still be understood. The leaving out of words or phrases from sentences where they are unnecessary because they have already been referred or mentioned.
1.3.1.      Nominal ellipsis
It means ellipsis within the nominal group. On the logical dimensions the structure is that of a Head with optional modification, the modifying element includes some which precede the Head and some which followed it as pre modifier and post modifier
Examples:
1)      He wished to thank him for coming to his house, so he presented the poor man with a bag of hundred gold coins.
2)      So, when he returned to his house, he dug a big hole in a secluded corner of the garden, threw the bag into it and covered it with the dirt.

In the first example, “coins” is the head and “hundred gold” is the pre-modifier. It is called pre-modifier because placed before the head “coins”.
“Hole” in the second example is the head, and “a big” is the pre-modifier (placed before the head).

1.3.2.      Verbal ellipsis
Verbal ellipsis means the ellipsis within the verbal group. An elliptical verbal group presupposes one or more words from previous verbal group. Technically, it is defined as a verbal group whose structure does not fully express in systemic feature.
Examples:
1)       

1.3.3.      Clausal ellipsis
In clausal ellipsis we look at the ellipsis from another angle. Taking the clause as the point of departure, the clause in English considered as he expression of the various speech functions, such as statement, question, response and so on.
Examples:
1.4.            Conjunction
Conjunction is a word which joins words, phrases or clauses together, such as but, and, when, so that, never the less, or, that and unless etc. conjunction is rather different in nature from the other cohesive relations, from both reference, on the one hand, and substitution and ellipsis on the other.
1.4.1.      Additive
Additive means substance added to another. Additive relation – is somewhat different from coordination proper, although it is no doubt derivable from it.
Examples:
1)      “I earn what I need. And even that would be too much were it not for all the Sundays and holidays when I must close my shop.”
2)      “I don’t count too well, nor do I really care. I live each day as it comes and never worry about the next.”
3)      The banker was annoyed of the fact that while he tossed and turned in his bed at night, the pauper slept peacefully and always awoke rested and full of energy.
4)      So, when he returned to his house, he dug a big hole in a secluded corner of the garden, threw the bag into it and covered it with dirt.
5)      The pauper had learned an important lesson, and so has the banker.

In the first example, “And” is an additive conjunction and it is useful when statement “I earn what I need” is added (connected) with “even that would be too much were it not for all the Sundays and holidays when I must close my shop”. It is similar with the third, fourth and fifth examples that use “and” as the connector.
            In the second example, “nor” is useful to add or connect statement “do I really care” after “I don’t count too well”. “Nor” is one kind of negative simple additive.

1.4.2.      Adversative
The basic meaning of the adversative relation is contrary to expectation. The expectation may be derived from the content of what is being said, or from the communication process, the speaker-hearer situation, so that here too as in the additive, we find cohesion on both the external and the internal planes.
Examples:
1)      But their natures were opposite, for the poor man was happy whereas the banker was not.
2)      But from that day on, the poor man’s life changed- he began to worry about the safety of his money.
3)      So he summoned him to his house and asked him his yearly income because he believed that happiness could only be measured in terms of wealth.
4)      One day the banker could stand it no longer. He decided to find out why the pauper was a happy man in spite of his poverty.
“But’ in the first example is one of Simple Contrastive relation. And so has “But” in the second example. It indicates that there is an opposition in each example.
“Only” in the third example is one kind of Adversative relation and so has “in spite of” in the fourth example.
1.4.3.      Causal
The simple form of causal relation is expressed by so, thus, hence, therefore, consequently, accordingly and a number of expression like as a result (of that), in consequence (of that), because of that.
Examples:
1)      The first was as poor as the second was rich. So it was inevitable that the rich man will be happier than the pauper.
2)      He decided to find out why the pauper was a happy man in spite of his poverty. So he summoned him to his house and asked him his yearly income because he believed that happiness could only be measured in terms of wealth.
3)      He decided to hide the bag, so that he would have the money if ever he should need it. So, when he returned to his house, he dug a big hole in a secluded corner of the garden, threw the bag into it and covered it with dirt.
4)      So he summoned him to his house and asked him his yearly income because he believed that happiness could only be measured in terms of wealth.

“So” in the first example is one kind of Simple Causal relations. It indicates that the statement “The first was as poor as the second was rich” affected statement “it was inevitable that the rich man will be happier than the pauper”.
“So” in the second example is used to connect statement “He decided to find out why the pauper was a happy man in spite of his poverty” which affected statement “he summoned him to his house and asked him his yearly income because he believed that happiness could only be measured in terms of wealth”.
“So” in the third examples is used to connect statement “He decided to hide the bag, so that he would have the money if ever he should need it” which affected statement “when he returned to his house, he dug a big hole in a secluded corner of the garden, threw the bag into it and covered it with dirt”.
In the fourth example, “because” is used to connect statement “So he summoned him to his house and asked him his yearly income” which is affected by “he believed that happiness could only be measured in terms of wealth”.
1.4.4.      Temporal
The temporal relation is expressed in its simplest form by then. In sequential sense we have not only then and and then but also next, afterwards, after that, subsequently and a number of other expressions.
Examples:
1)      “Well, then, just tell me how much you earn in one day,” insisted the rich man.
2)      Finally, he could bear his unhappiness no longer. He went to the garden, dug up the coins and returned them to the banker.
3)      But from that day on, the poor man’s life changed- he began to worry about the safety of his money.
In the first example, “then” is one kind of Sequential in Simple temporal relations.
2.      Lexical cohesion
Lexical Cohesion, is “phoric” cohesion that is established through the structure of the lexis, or vocabulary, and hence (like substitution) at the lexico grammatical level. While reference, ellipsis, and conjunction tend to link clauses which are near each other in the text, lexical cohesion tends to link much larger parts of the text. Lexical cohesion is created by Reiteration and Collocation.
2.1.            Reiteration
Reiteration is a form of Lexical cohesion which involves the repetition of a lexical item, at one end of the scale, the use of a general word to refer back to a lexical item, at the other end of the scale, and a number of things in between the use of synonym, near synonym, or super ordinate.
2.1.1.      The same word – Repetition
Examples:
1)      But their natures were opposite, for the poor man was happy whereas the banker was not. The banker was annoyed of the fact that while he tossed and turned in his bed at night, the pauper slept peacefully and always awoke rested and full of energy.
2)      So it was inevitable that the rich man will be happier than the pauper. But their natures were opposite, for the poor man was happy whereas the banker was not. The banker was annoyed of the fact that while he tossed and turned in his bed at night, the pauper slept peacefully and always awoke rested and full of energy.
3)      Now, to the pauper these coins, which meant so little to the banker, seemed a great fortune. He decided to hide the bag, so that he would have the money if ever he should need it. So, when he returned to his house, he dug a big hole in a secluded corner of the garden, threw the bag into it.

2.1.2.      Synonym or near synonym

Examples:
1)      Now, to the pauper these coins, which meant so little to the banker, seemed a great fortune. He decided to hide the bag, so that he would have the money if ever he should need it. So, when he returned to his house, he dug a big hole in a secluded corner of the garden, threw the bag into it, and covered it with dirt.
2)      But from that day on, the poor man’s life changed- he began to worry about the safety of his money. Every night he slept a little les, and each time he heard the slightest sound, he became anxious about the safety of his coins.
3)      But from that day on, the poor man’s life changed- he began to worry about the safety of his money. Every night he slept a little less, and each time he heard the slightest sound, he became anxious about the safety of his coins.

2.1.3.      Super ordinate

Examples:
1)      But from that day on, the poor man’s life changed- he began to worry about the safety of his money. Every night he slept a little less, and each time he heard the slightest sound, he became anxious about the safety of his coins.
2)      “I earn what I need. And even that would be too much were it not for all the Sundays and holidays when I must close my shop.”

2.1.4.      General word
The general words, which correspond to major classes of lexical items, are as we have said very commonly used with cohesive force. They are on the borderline between lexical items and substitutes.
Examples:
1)      Once upon a time there lived a pauper and a banker. The first was as poor as the second was rich. So it was inevitable that the rich man will be happier than the pauper. But their natures were opposite, for the poor man was happy whereas the banker was not.
2)      Once upon a time there lived a pauper and a banker. The first was as poor as the second was rich. So it was inevitable that the rich man will be happier than the pauper. But their natures were opposite, for the poor man was happy whereas the banker was not.


2.2.            Collocation
Collocation is the way in which particular words tend to occur or belong together. It is two or more words that often go together; these combinations just sound “right” to native English speakers who use them all the time.
2.2.1.      Complementary
Examples:
1)      Once upon a time there lived a pauper and a banker. The first was as poor as the second was rich. So it was inevitable that the rich man will be happier than the pauper. But their natures were opposite, for the poor man was happy whereas the banker was not.
2)      One day the banker could stand it no longer. He decided to find out why the pauper was a happy man in spite of his poverty. So he summoned him to him to his house and asked him his yearly income because he believed that happiness could only be measured in terms of wealth.
2.2.2.      Converseness
1)      The banker was annoyed of the fact that while he tossed and turned in his bed at night, the pauper slept peacefully and always awoke rested and full of energy.
2)      So, when he returned to his house, he dug a big hole in a secluded corner of the garden, threw the bag into it and covered it with dirt.
2.2.3.      Antonymy
1)      Once upon a time there lived a pauper and a banker. The first was as poor as the second was rich.
2)      Now, to the pauper these coins, which meant so little to the banker, seemed a great fortune. He decided to hide the bag, so that he would have the money if ever he should need it. So, when he returned to his house, he dug a big hole in a secluded corner of the garden, threw the bag into it, and covered it with dirt.
3)      But from that day on, the poor man’s life changed- he began to worry about the safety of his money. Every night he slept a little less, and each time he heard the slightest sound, he became anxious about the safety of his coins.

2.2.4.      The same ordered series.
Examples:
1)      Once upon a time there lived a pauper and a banker. The first was as poor as the second was rich. So it was inevitable that the rich man will be happier than the pauper. But their natures were opposite, for the poor man was happy whereas the banker was not.


No comments:

Post a Comment