A Study on the Nature of Subjects in Generative Grammar
Vol 7, Issue 9, 2024
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Abstract
to clarify the distinct manifestations and functions of subjects at the syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic levels. This paper points out that the
grammatical subject as defined by Lyons, being a pivotal element in the surface syntactic structure, maintains a morphological agreement
with the predicate verb, serving as the central focus of syntactic analysis. In contrast, the logical subject originates from the external argument
in the underlying structure, assuming the role of the agent and possessing explicit semantic attributes, thereby underscoring the significance
of subjects at the semantic level. Furthermore, the paper explores the concept of thematic subjects, emphasizing their centrality at the pragmatic level, which is directly tied to the progression of discourse and the transmission of information, transcending the syntactic framework
of “subjects” and highlighting the autonomy of pragmatic analysis. The article offers a novel perspective and pathway for a deeper understanding of the nature of subjects within the framework of generative grammar theory.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.18686/ijmss.v7i9.9721
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