Syntagmatic Connections of Words.

Performing their semantic functions, words in an utterance form various syntagmatic connections with one another.

One should distinguish between syntagmatic groupings of notional words alone, syntagmatic groupings of notional words with functional words, and syntagmatic groupings of functional words alone.

Different combinations of notional words (notional phrases) have a clearly pronounced self-dependent nominative destination, they denote complex phenomena and their properties in their interconnections, in­cluding dynamic inter-connections (semi-predicative combinations). Cf: a sudden trembling', a soul in pain; hurrying along the stream; to lead to a cross-road; strangely familiar; so sure of their aims.

Combinations of a notional word with a functional word are equiv­alent to separate words by their nominative function. Since a functional word expresses some abstract relation, such combinations, as a rule, are quite obviously non-self-dependent; they are, as it were, stamped as arti­ficially isolated from the context.

As for syntagmatic groupings of functional words, they are essen­tially analogous to separate functional words and are used as connectors and specifiers of notional elements of various status. Cf: out of up to; so that; such as; must be able; don't let's.

Functional phrases of such and like character constitute limited groups supplementing the corresponding subsets of regular one-item functional words, as different from notional phrases, which, as free com­binations, form essentially open subsets of various semantic destinations. Groupings of notional words fall into two mutually opposite types by their grammatical and semantic properties.

Groupings of the first type are constituted by words related to one another on an equal rank, so that for a case of a two-word combination neither of them serves as a modifier of the other. Depending on this feature, these combinations can be called "equipotent".

Groupings of the second type are formed by words which are syntac­tically unequal in the sense that for a case of a two-word combination one of them plays the role of a modifier of the other. Due to this feature, combinations of the latter type can be called "dominational".

Equipotent connection in groupings of notional words is realised either with the help of conjunctions (syndetically), or without the help of conjunctions (asyndetically).

In the cited examples, the constituents of the combinations form log­ically consecutive connections that are classed as coordinative. Along­side these, there exist equipotent connections of a non-consecutive type, by which a sequential element, although equal to the foregoing element by its formal introduction (coordinative conjunction), is unequal to it as to the character of nomination.

Syndetic connection in a word combination can alternate with asyn­detic connection, as a result of which the whole combination can under­go a semantically motivated subgrouping.

In enumerative combinations the last element can be introduced by a conjunction, which underlines the close of the syntagmatic series.

Dominational connection, as different from equipotent connection, is effected in such a way that one of the constituents of the combination is principal (dominating) and the other is subordinate (dominated).

The two basic types of dominational connection are bilateral domination and monolateral domination. Bilateral domination is realized in predicative connection of words, while monolateral domination is realized in completive connection of words.

The predicative connection of words, uniting the subject and the pred­icate, builds up the basis of the sentence. The reciprocal nature of this connection consists in the fact that the subject dominates the predicate determining the person of predication, while the predicate dominates the subject, determining the event of predication, i.e. ascribing to the predica­tive person some action, or state, or quality.

Among the syntagmatic connections of the reciprocal domina­tion the two basic subtypes are distinguished: first, complete predicative connections, second, incomplete predicative connections (semi-predica­tive, potentially-predicative connections).

The completive, one-way connection of words (monolateral domi­nation) is considered as subordinative on the ground. All the completive connections fall into two main divisions: objec­tive connections and qualifying connections.

Objective connections reflect the relation of the object to the process

Qualifying completive connections are divided into attributive and adverbial. Both are expressed in English by word order and preposi­tions.

Attributive connection unites a substance with its attribute expressed by an adjective or a noun.

Adverbial connection is subdivided into primary and secondary.

The primary adverbial connection is established between the verb and its adverbial modifiers of various standings. E.g.: to talk glibly; to come nowhere; to receive (a letter) with surprise; to throw (one's arms) round a person's neck, etc.

The secondary adverbial connection is established between the non­verbal kernel expressing a quality and its adverbial modifiers of various standings. E.g.: marvellously becoming; very much at ease; strikingly alike; no longer oppressive; unpleasantly querulous, etc.

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 3588