Grammar and Meaning

by Howard Jackson

Grammar and Meaning is an introduction to the study of grammar of contemporary English. It provides an impressive survey of all the main areas of English grammar, from words through to sentences and texts. It introduces and explains the linguistic terms needed to talk about the ways in which language works, from simple terms like adjective to more complex terms like non-finite clause. To meet the needs of both students and scholars, Howard Jackson has produced an innovative approach to the study of English grammar. Instead of concentrating on the formal and theoretical discussion of grammar, as many introductions do, this original analysis examines the 'meanings' we want to express when we use language. Beginning with the question, "What do we talk about?", it goes on to investigate how these meanings are structured in the grammar of English. These notions are closer to our ordinary understanding of what language is doing, and therefore the forms and structures of grammar are more easily grasped. The book is extensively illustrated with examples from real English. With analytical exercises in each chapter and a comprehensive glossary of terms, the book will prove and invaluable aid to students of English language, linguistics and English as a Foreign Language, whilst also being accessible to anyone who studies English grammar as part of their course.

308 pages, Paperback

First published October 29, 1990

Reviews

[A. B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting approach. The author first identifies semantic roles -- what we need to talk about in the world; and then proceeds to describe the grammar we utilize in English for expressing these roles. The basic idea is simple but profound and leads to a powerful way to describe the workings of language.

Verbs refer either to States, Events, or Actions. Nouns are Participants in the Situation expressed by a Proposition (Sentence). Adverbs and Prepositions delineate the Circumstances of the Situation. We specify States, Events, and Actions with the three-fold device of Tense, Aspect, and Modality. We specify Participants with Determinatives and Modifiers. Sentences express the semantic role that are Propositions. They describe a Situation. Embedded Clauses are when Propositions act as Participants or Specifiers. Adverbial Clauses are when Propositions act as Circumstances. We combine Propositions through Co-ordination and Conjunction. A Text expresses the semantic role that is a Message and is itself structured in various ways.

The author goes deep into giving examples and subclasses for each chapter. For instance, there are 15 semantic subclasses of the verb. The author brings to the fore many interesting grammatical distinctions which would take too long to describe here. All in all, an enlightening read and a well-structured book.

[Iago Seleme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of meaning structures in language. Exercises are not practical in e-reader format, so it would be better to have a separate exercises booklet to print.