Sentence definitions

One of the most diff. problems connecting with the s-ce study is its definition. The German scholars decided to summarize all the existing definitions of the sentence → 301 (after that they were tired). Inspite of this great number many of them have similar features and can be distributed into 6 groups:

Logical definition: s-ce – is a group of words expressing a complete thought (English Descriptive or nominative grammar, 18^th c.). Psychological D.: s-ce- is not only a linguistic unit but also the structure of human feeling or thought. (Шахматов – Предложение – это комбинация представлений в процессе мышления.). S.Curme (an Eng. scholar): a sentence is an expression of thought or feeling by means of a word or words used in such forms and manner as to convey the meaning intended. Structural D. (classical Scientific Gr-r), R.Zandvoort: a s-ce is an oral or written communication made up one or more units, each of which contains a complete utterance formed acc to a definite pattern (по определенной схеме). Formal D. American Descriptive Gr-r) Ch. Fries: a s-ce is a word or group of words standing between the initial Capital letter and a mark of end punctuation or between two marks of end punctuation. Phonetic D. M.Whitehall (a representative of the same school): an utterance ending with one of 2 intonation contours (fall→.!, rise→?) typical of the Eng. language.

In the majority of cases however we come across with mixed definitions where several features of a s-ce are reflected.

M.Bryant; the s-ce is a communication in words conveying a sense of completeness containing at least one independent verb with its subject (Structural Approach).

The features which should be included into the s-ce def.-ns are:

- the s-ce is a syntactic unit;

- the s-ce is an autonomous unit which isn’t a part of a larger syntactic structure;

- the s-ce is a structurally complete unit which is based on a certain syntactic pattern or modal and contains all the component characteristics of these pattern:

N/ProN gives o O.

N/ProN helps O.

N stands adv.

S-ce should possess all the parts of the s-ce preconditioned by the verbal valiancy. Ex. He knew O. At the same time the s-ce doesn’t necessarily expressed a complete thought because in many cases it may contain the words whose lexical meaning is ambiguous and depends on the context. Ex. She did that. He knew it.

- the s-ce is characterized by its own purpose of utterance. It can be a statement, a? or a command.

- The s-ce as an syntactic unit is materialized in a written or oral form. Acc-ly it should be phonetically or graphically shaped.

So, the s-ce is an autonomous, structurally complete syntactic unit having its own purpose of utterance and phonetically and graphically shaped.

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