California State University Syntax Structures and Communication Discussion

Question 1 – Chapter 3 Syntax: Structures and Communication (pages 76-87)

Using some of the key concepts from chapter 3 (below), write a two-page essay in which you answer the following questions: What is syntax (a page to a page and a half in length) and what is the relationship between syntax and communication? (a half page in length). Underline and bold first use of concepts

included.

Chapter 3 Key Concepts

syntax

subject-verb-object (SVO languages)

subject

square brackets

ambiguity

lexical or word meaning ambiguity

structural ambiguity

grammaticality judgments

syntactic category

noun phrase (NP)

verb phrase (VP)

prepositional phrase (PP)

determiner (Det)

Question 2 – Chapter 4 Semantics: Meaning (pages 139-158; and pages 170-177)

Using some of the key concepts from chapter 4 (below), write a two-page essay in which you answer the following questions: What is semantics (a page to a page and a half in length) and how is semantics related to communication? (a half page in length). Underline and bold first use of concepts included.

Chapter 4 Key Concepts

entailment

semantics/lexical semantics/phrasal or sentential semantics

pragmatics

tautologies/analytic

contradictions

semantic anomaly

metaphors

idioms/idiomatic phrases

referent/reference

sense

synonyms and antonyms

marked/unmarked pairs

discourse/discourse analysis

Grice’s maxims of conversation

implicatures

speech acts

illocutionary force

Requirements:

Essay responses must be typed, double spaced, Times New Roman, 12-point font, standard margins (unjustified), black ink, in APA citation format. All papers should be well written, thoroughly proofread and edited, well organized and appropriately formatted. See the “Guidelines for Written Work” in the course syllabus. Do not plagiarize any part of your responses; consult the course syllabus for expectations and policies regarding academic honesty.

Papers will be evaluated on content, ability to demonstrate understanding of the material, organization, style, language, format, and citation. Be sure to use paragraphs to organize your material, choose substantive ideas to discuss, and proofread, edit, and revise your paper.

Length: Each response should be limited to two pages maximum, for a total of four pages maximum.