David Deterding
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780748625444
- eISBN:
- 9780748651535
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Edinburgh University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3366/edinburgh/9780748625444.003.0004
- Subject:
- Linguistics, English Language
Null-subject structures were discussed in Chapter 3 under the heading of syntax. However, one of the puzzles that needs to be dealt with is why null-subject sentences are acceptable in Singapore ...
More
Null-subject structures were discussed in Chapter 3 under the heading of syntax. However, one of the puzzles that needs to be dealt with is why null-subject sentences are acceptable in Singapore English but not in British or American English even though all these varieties have a similar system of present-tense verbal inflections. Topic prominence was suggested as having an influence on this. The fronting of a topic belongs within the realm of discourse, because it involves manipulating word order to present ideas in a certain way, which is discussed in this chapter. After the discussion of topic prominence, the use of resumptive pronouns, tolerance for repetition of words, and the ubiquitous occurrence of discourse particles such as lah, ah and yah are considered. The chapter then proceeds to deal with individual words — those that are unique to Singapore English as a result of borrowing, compounding, or the use of abbreviations, and also those that are found in other varieties of English but are used in a different way in Singapore.Less
Null-subject structures were discussed in Chapter 3 under the heading of syntax. However, one of the puzzles that needs to be dealt with is why null-subject sentences are acceptable in Singapore English but not in British or American English even though all these varieties have a similar system of present-tense verbal inflections. Topic prominence was suggested as having an influence on this. The fronting of a topic belongs within the realm of discourse, because it involves manipulating word order to present ideas in a certain way, which is discussed in this chapter. After the discussion of topic prominence, the use of resumptive pronouns, tolerance for repetition of words, and the ubiquitous occurrence of discourse particles such as lah, ah and yah are considered. The chapter then proceeds to deal with individual words — those that are unique to Singapore English as a result of borrowing, compounding, or the use of abbreviations, and also those that are found in other varieties of English but are used in a different way in Singapore.
Gerry T. M. Altmann
- Published in print:
- 1998
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780198523772
- eISBN:
- 9780191689017
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198523772.003.0003
- Subject:
- Psychology, Cognitive Psychology
This chapter compares language learning in babies and adults. One big difference between adults and babies is that adults have acquired knowledge about individual words and they have a mental ...
More
This chapter compares language learning in babies and adults. One big difference between adults and babies is that adults have acquired knowledge about individual words and they have a mental dictionary or lexicon. In this case, a baby’s abilities is limited. However, there are speech perception abilities that do not require a lexicon and in this case, babies can do most things that adults can do.Less
This chapter compares language learning in babies and adults. One big difference between adults and babies is that adults have acquired knowledge about individual words and they have a mental dictionary or lexicon. In this case, a baby’s abilities is limited. However, there are speech perception abilities that do not require a lexicon and in this case, babies can do most things that adults can do.
