Philological
Sciences/4. Syntax: structure, semantics, function
Fasolko O.M.
Chernivtsi National University named after Y. Fedkovych
The paradigm of English conjunctions
In modern linguistics, parts of speech are discriminated on the basis of
the three criteria: "semantic", "formal", "functional".
In accordance with the described criteria words are divided into notional and
functional, which are further subdivided into smaller groups and which reflects
their division in the earlier grammatical tradition into changeable and
unchangeable. Eight parts of
speech are usually identified: nouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, pronouns, verbs, and interjections.
Most of the
major language groups spoken today,
notably the Indo-European languages and Semitic
languages, use almost the identical
categories.
There are lots of definitions of conjunction. For example, in the
dictionaries and encyclopedias one may find the following explanations:
1)
the words that connect sentences,
clauses, phrases, or words, and
sometimes paragraphs [3;
198];
2)
an uninflected
linguistic form that joins together
sentences, clauses, phrases, or words
[4; 435];
3)
a
part of speech which denotes connections
between objects and phenomena. It connects parts of the sentence, clauses, and sentences [2; 213].
According to their morphological structure conjunctions are divided into the following groups: simple conjunctions (and, or, but, till,
after, that, so, where, when/ etc); derivative conjunctions (until,
unless, etc.); compound conjunctions (however, whereas, wherever, etc.); composite conjunctions (as
well as, as long as, in case, for fear (that), on the ground that, for the
reason that, etc.); some
conjunctions are used in pairs – correlative
conjunctions: both ... and, either
... or, not only ... but (also), neither ... nor, whether ... or.
As
to their function conjunctions fall under two classes:
1) coordinating
conjunctions - join
coordinate clauses in a compound sentence,
or homogeneous parts in a simple sentence, or homogeneous subordinate clauses in a complex sentence, or
independent sentence;
2) subordinating conjunctions – join a subordinate or independent clause to a principle clause, or
adverbial modifier to the predicate in a simple sentence, or sometimes they
join homogeneous parts.
The
meaning of conjunctions is closely connected with the relations they express.
According to their meaning the classes of coordinating conjunctions correspond
to different types of compound sentences. Kaushanska [2; 213] defined four
different kinds of coordinating conjunctions: copulative conjunctions – and, nor, as well as, both …and, not
only… but, neither nor - denote that one statement or fact is simply added to
another; disjunctive conjunctions –
or, either or, or else, else – offer some more choice between the statement and
another; adversative conjunctions –
but, while, whereas – show that one statement or fact is contrasted with a set
against another; causative-consecutive
conjunctions – so, for – denote consequence, result or reason.
Some scientists suggest
that an easy way to remember the six coordinating
conjunctions is to think of the word FANBOYS. Each of
the letters in this somewhat unlikely word is the first letter of one of the
coordinating conjunctions.
|
F |
A |
N |
B |
O |
Y |
S |
|
for |
and |
nor |
but |
or |
yet |
so |
In linguistics conjunctions belong to
a closed word class [1; 25], a word class
to which no new items can normally be added, and that usually contains a relatively
small number of items. The closed class may get new items through the usual
means such as compounding, derivation,
coining, borrowing, etc. But the change takes much more time. The closed class
is normally viewed as part of the core language and is not expected to change.
English conjunctions are freguently used by all people both in oral and
written form. They serve for better expressing thoughts, feelings and emotions.
For example, having analysed the novels of English liturature we got the
following results, which are shown in the diagrams:
1. “Persuasion”
by Jane Austen
2. “Far
from the madding crowd” by Thomas Hardy
3. “An
Outcast of the Islands” by Joseph Conrad
4. “The
Haunted Hotel” by Wilkie Collins
5. “Soul
of a Bishop” by H. G. Wells
So conjunction is a functional part of
speech that connects two words, phrases, or clauses together. This
definition may overlap with that of other parts of speech, so what constitutes
a "conjunction" should be defined for each language. In general, a
conjunction is an invariable grammatical particle, and it may or may
not stand between the items it conjoins.
Bibliography
1.
Ilyish B. The structure of Modern English, - L.: Prosveshcheniye, 1971. – 365p.
2.
Kaushanska V.L. English Grammar ,
- L.: Prosveshcheniye, 1963. – 311 p.
3. New Webster’s Dictionary and Thesaurus of the English language. Devicon
Publications, Inc.
4. Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of
Current English // Editor Jonathon Crouther.