Title: How linguistic knowledge can ease learning: Making sense of word order
1How linguistic knowledge can ease learning
Making sense of word order
- Robert Kluender
- Department of Linguistics, UCSD
- UCCLLT Workshop on
- Grammar and Language Teaching
- June 19, 2004
2What we mean by grammar
- prescriptive
- attempts to freeze-frame language
- descriptive
- takes language exactly as spoken
- traditional
- description of surface-level behavior
- linguistic
- explanation of how language works
3What we mean by grammar
- prescriptive
- attempts to freeze-frame language
- descriptive
- takes language exactly as spoken
- traditional
- description of surface-level behavior
- linguistic
- explanation of how language works
4But is linguistic grammar of any practical use?
5Claims
- What I am going to present today
- based on real syntactic proposals
- explains a wide array of clausal data
- not easily captured by traditional grammar
- easier than the many clause-specific rules that
students usually learn
6Disclaimers
- What I am going to present today
- not my analysis (its standard)
- pertains only to explicit learning
- not a classroom demonstration (would need
to be didacticized first) - should not be tried at home
- (all in 60 minutes or less, that is)
7Omissions
- What I am not going to present today
- phonology
- final devoicing Tag tak vs. Tage
- morphology
- decomposition Widerstandsnester
- Wider stand s nest er
- against stance poss nest plural
- pockets of resistance
8Syntax
9Syntax German word order
10Syntax German word order
- Traditional grammar view
- V-2nd, subject-verb-object word order is taken to
be basic to German - All other word orders, e.g.
- V-first order in yes/no-questions
- V-final order in subordinate clauses
- are taken to be permutations of basic
subject-verb-object (SVO) word order
11Syntax German word order
- Linguistic grammar view
- V-final, subject-object-verb word order is taken
to be basic to German - All other word orders, e.g.
- V-first order in yes/no-questions
- V-2nd order in main clauses
- are taken to be permutations of basic
subject-object-verb (SOV) word order
12Syntax German word order
- Whats at stake
- The two approaches make almost exactly opposite
predictions - How to decide between them
- If a theory is based on special cases, it will be
more complicated - If it is based on the general case, it will be
more economical and elegant
13The take-home message with regard to
German word order
- By relying on traditional grammar descriptions of
surface behavior, - we may actually be complicating things
conceptually, making the learning process more
difficult for our students unnecessarily
14German word order in main clauses
- Deutsch aktiv (1983)
- In German, the main clause shows normal word
order. The finite verb appears in second
position. - Neue Horizonte, 5th edition (1999)
- In German statements, only the verb has a
fixed position. The verb is always the second
element. This is an ironclad rule that must be
learned well.
15German word order in main clauses
- Kontakte, 4th edition (2000)
- In German statements, the verb is always in
second position. - Vorsprung, Updated version (2002)
- Regardless of the position of the subject, the
position of the conjugated verb remains constant.
It is always the second element of the sentence.
16The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause
- Das Verb steht
- the verb stands
- an zweiter Stelle
- at second position
- im deutschen Hauptsatz.
- inthe German mainclause
17German word order in main clauses
- Deutsch heute, 8th edition (2005)
- In a German statement, the finite verb is
always in second position, even when an element
other than the subject (for example, an adverb or
a prepositional phrase) is in first position.
18Traditional grammar view of subject position
- Neue Horizonte, 5th edition (1999)
- If an element other than the subject begins
the sentence, the verb remains in second position
and the subject then follows the verb. - Kontakte, 4th edition (2000)
- In German statements, the verb is always in
second position. If the sentence begins with an
element other than the subject, the subject
follows the verb.
19Traditional grammar view of subject position
- Vorsprung, Updated edition (2002)
- Whenever an element other than the subject
begins a sentence, the subject follows as the
third element of the sentence. - Deutsch heute, 8th edition (2005)
- When an element other than the subject is in
first position, the subject follows the verb.
20Legend
- first position
- second position
- third position (the subject, if its not 1st)
- final position
21Legend
- first position second position third position
(the subject, if its not 1st) a bunch of
other constituents final position
22The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle
- the verb stands at second position
- im deutschen Hauptsatz.
- inthe German mainclause
23The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle
- the verb stands at second position
- im deutschen Hauptsatz.
- inthe German mainclause
24The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle
- the verb stands at second position
- im deutschen Hauptsatz.
- inthe German mainclause
25The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle
- the verb stands at second position
- im deutschen Hauptsatz.
- inthe German mainclause
26The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle
-
- im deutschen Hauptsatz.
-
27The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle
- im deutschen Hauptsatz.
-
28The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
deutschen Hauptsatz.
29The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - An zweiter Stelle
- at second position
30The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - An zweiter Stelle steht
- at second position stands
31The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb
- at second position stands the verb
32The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb
- at second position stands the verb
- im deutschen Hauptsatz.
- inthe German mainclause
-
33The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb
-
- im deutschen Hauptsatz.
-
-
34The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb
- im deutschen Hauptsatz.
-
-
35The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb im
deutschen Hauptsatz.
36The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - Im deutschen Hauptsatz
- inthe German mainclause
37The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - Im deutschen Hauptsatz steht
- inthe German mainclause stands
38The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - Im deutschen Hauptsatz steht
- inthe German mainclause stands
- das Verb
- the verb
39The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - Im deutschen Hauptsatz steht
- inthe German mainclause stands
- das Verb an zweiter Stelle.
- the verb at second position
40The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - Im deutschen Hauptsatz steht
-
- das Verb an zweiter Stelle.
-
41The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - Im deutschen Hauptsatz steht
- das Verb an zweiter Stelle.
-
42The verb stands in second position in the German
main clause
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - Im deutschen Hauptsatz steht das Verb an zweiter
Stelle.
43Legend
- first position
- second position
- third position (the subject, if its not 1st)
- final position
44Legend
- first position second position third position
(the subject, if its not 1st) a bunch of
other constituents final position
45Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?
- Das Verb steht
- the verb stands
- immer an zweiter Stelle
- always at second position
- im deutschen Hauptsatz.
- inthe German mainclause
46Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?
- Das Verb steht immer an zweiter Stelle
- the verb stands always at second place
- im deutschen Hauptsatz.
- inthe German mainclause
47Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?
- Das Verb steht immer an zweiter Stelle
- the verb stands always at second place
- im deutschen Hauptsatz.
- inthe German mainclause
48Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?
- Das Verb steht immer an zweiter Stelle
- the verb stands always at second place
- im deutschen Hauptsatz.
- inthe German mainclause
49Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?
- Das Verb muss immer an zweiter Stelle
- the verb must always at second place
- im deutschen Hauptsatz
- inthe German mainclause
50Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?
- Das Verb muss immer an zweiter Stelle
- the verb must always at second place
- im deutschen Hauptsatz stehen.
- inthe German mainclause stand
51The traditional grammar view
52Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?
- Das Verb muss immer an zweiter Stelle
- the verb must always at second place
- im deutschen Hauptsatz stehen.
- inthe German mainclause stand
53Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?
- Das Verb wird immer an zweiter Stelle
- the verb will always at second place
- im deutschen Hauptsatz stehen.
- inthe German mainclause stand
54Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?
- Das Verb muss immer an zweiter Stelle
- the verb must always at second place
- im deutschen Hauptsatz stehen.
- inthe German mainclause stand
55Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?
- Das Verb muss immer an zweiter Stelle
- the verb must always at second place
- ? wird
- im deutschen Hauptsatz stehen.
- inthe German mainclause stand
56Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?
- Das Verb wird immer an zweiter Stelle
- the verb will always at second place
- im deutschen Hauptsatz stehen
- inthe German mainclause stand
- müssen.
- have to
57Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?
- Das Verb hat immer an zweiter Stelle
- the verb has always at second place
- im deutschen Hauptsatz stehen
- inthe German mainclause stand
- müssen.
- had to
58Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?
- Das Verb hat immer an zweiter Stelle
-
- im deutschen Hauptsatz stehen
-
- müssen.
-
59Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?
- Das Verb hat immer an zweiter Stelle
- im deutschen Hauptsatz stehen
- müssen.
-
60Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?
- Das Verb hat immer an zweiter Stelle
- im deutschen Hauptsatz
- stehen müssen.
-
61Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?
- Das Verb hat immer an zweiter Stelle
- im deutschen Hauptsatz
- stehen müssen.
-
- ?When theres more than one verb form in the
main clause, most of them pile up at the end.
62Observations (preliminary)
- When theres more than one verb form in the
main clause, most of them pile up at the end
63Word order in subordinate clauses
- DLI German Basic Course (1979)
- After subordinating conjunctions, the
conjugated verb stands at the end of the clause. - Deutsch aktiv (1983)
- In the dependent clause, the finite verb moves
to the end of the clause.
64the finite verb moves to the end of the clause
65the finite verb moves to the end of the clause
66the finite verb moves to the end of the clause
67Word order in subordinate clauses
- Neue Horizonte, 5th edition (1999)
- subordinating conjunctions move the inflected
verb to the end of the subordinate clause. - Vorsprung, Updated version (2002)
- Subordinate clauses are always introduced by a
subordinating conjunction, e.g., dass (that), and
the conjugated verb always comes at the end of
the subordinate clause.
68Word order in subordinate clauses
- Deutsch heute, 8th edition (2005)
- Two signals distinguish a dependent clause
from an independent clause (1) it is introduced
by a subordinating conjuntion (dass, wenn) and
(2) the finite verb (fährt, sind) is at the end.
69The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause
- Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb
- we believe that the finite verb
- ganz am Ende
- completely atthe end
- im deutschen Nebensatz steht.
- inthe German nextclause stands
70Legend
- first position
- second position
- third position (the subject, if its not 1st)
- final position
71Legend
- first position second position third position
(the subject, if its not 1st) a bunch of other
constituents final position
72The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause
- Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb
- we believe that the finite verb
- ganz am Ende
- completely atthe end
- im deutschen Nebensatz steht.
- inthe German nextclause stands
73The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause
- Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb
- we believe that the finite verb
- ganz am Ende
- completely atthe end
- im deutschen Nebensatz steht.
- inthe German nextclause stands
74The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause
- Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb
- we believe that the finite verb
- ganz am Ende
- completely atthe end
- im deutschen Nebensatz steht.
- inthe German nextclause stands
75The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause
- Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb ganz
- we believe that the finite verb wholly
- am Ende im deutschen
- atthe end inthe German
- Nebensatz steht.
- nextclause stands
76The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause
- Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb ganz
- we believe that the finite verb wholly
- am Ende im deutschen
- atthe end inthe German
- Nebensatz stehen muss.
- nextclause stand must
77The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause
- Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb ganz
- we believe that the finite verb wholly
- am Ende im deutschen
- atthe end inthe German
- Nebensatz stehen wird.
- nextclause stand will
78The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause
- Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb ganz
- we believe that the finite verb wholly
- am Ende im deutschen
- atthe end inthe German
- Nebensatz wird stehen müssen.
- nextclause will stand have to
79The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause
- Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb ganz
- we believe that the finite verb wholly
- am Ende im deutschen
- atthe end inthe German
- Nebensatz hat stehen müssen.
- nextclause has stand had to
80The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause
- Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb ganz
- am Ende im deutschen
-
- Nebensatz hat stehen müssen.
-
81The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause
- Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb ganz
- am Ende im deutschen
- Nebensatz hat stehen müssen.
-
82The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause
- Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb ganz
- am Ende im deutschen Nebensatz
- hat stehen müssen.
-
83The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause
- Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb ganz
- am Ende im deutschen Nebensatz
- hat stehen müssen.
-
- ?The verbs are piling up at the end of the clause
again.
84Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?
- Das Verb hat immer an zweiter Stelle
- im deutschen Hauptsatz
- stehen müssen.
-
- ?When theres more than one verb form in the
main clause, most of them pile up at the end.
85Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?
- Das Verb hat immer an zweiter Stelle
- im deutschen Hauptsatz
- stehen müssen.
- ?Theres a traffic jam of verbs at the end of the
MAIN clause.
86The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause
- Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb ganz
- am Ende im deutschen Nebensatz
- hat stehen müssen.
-
- ?The verbs are piling up at the end of the clause
again.
87The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause
- Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb ganz
- am Ende im deutschen Nebensatz
- hat stehen müssen.
-
- ?Theres a traffic jam of verbs at the end of the
SUBORDINATE clause.
88Observations (preliminary)
- When theres more than one verb form in the
main clause, most of them pile up at the end
89Observations (preliminary)
- Verbs pile up at the ends of both main and
subordinate clauses (excepting V-2nd in main
clauses)
90Legend
- first position
- second position
- third position (the subject, if its not 1st)
- final position
91Legend
- first position second position third position
(the subject, if its not 1st) a bunch of
other constituents final position
92Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?
- Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb
- we believe that the finite verb
- ganz am Ende
- wholly atthe end
- im deutschen Nebensatz steht.
- inthe German nextclause stands
93Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?
- Wir glauben, ? das finite Verb
- we believe the finite verb
- ganz am Ende
- wholly atthe end
- im deutschen Nebensatz
- inthe German nextclause
94Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?
- Wir glauben, das finite Verb steht
- we believe the finite verb stands
- ganz am Ende
- wholly atthe end
- im deutschen Nebensatz.
- inthe German nextclause
95Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?
- Wir glauben, das finite Verb steht
- we believe the finite verb stands
- ganz am Ende
- wholly atthe end
- im deutschen Nebensatz.
- inthe German nextclause
96Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?
- Wir glauben, ganz am Ende steht
- we believe wholly atthe end stands
- das finite Verb
- the finite verb
- im deutschen Nebensatz.
- inthe German nextclause
97Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?
- Wir glauben, ganz am Ende
- we believe wholly atthe end
- steht das finite Verb
- stands the finite verb
- im deutschen Nebensatz.
- inthe German nextclause
98Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?
- Wir glauben, ganz am Ende
- we believe wholly atthe end
- steht das finite Verb
- stands the finite verb
- im deutschen Nebensatz.
- inthe German nextclause
99Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?
- Wir glauben, im deutschen Nebensatz
- we believe inthe German nextclause
- steht das finite Verb
- stands the finite verb
- ganz am Ende.
- wholly atthe end
100Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?
- Wir glauben, im deutschen Nebensatz
- we believe inthe German nextclause
- steht das finite Verb
- stands the finite verb
- ganz am Ende.
- wholly atthe end
101Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?
- Wir glauben, das finite Verb steht
- we believe the finite verb stands
- ganz am Ende
- wholly atthe end
- im deutschen Nebensatz.
- inthe German nextclause
102Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?
- Wir glauben, das finite Verb steht
- we believe the finite verb stands
- ganz am Ende im deutschen
- wholly atthe end inthe German
- Nebensatz.
- nextclause
103Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?
- Wir glauben, das finite Verb steht
- we believe the finite verb stands
- ganz am Ende im deutschen
- wholly atthe end inthe German
- Nebensatz.
- nextclause
104Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?
- Wir glauben, das finite Verb steht
- we believe the finite verb stands
- ganz am Ende im deutschen
- wholly atthe end inthe German
- Nebensatz.
- nextclause
105The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause
- Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb
- we believe that the finite verb
- ganz am Ende im deutschen
- wholly atthe end inthe German
- Nebensatz steht.
- nextclause stands
106The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause
- Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb
- we believe that the finite verb
- ganz am Ende im deutschen
- wholly atthe end inthe German
- Nebensatz stehen muss.
- nextclause stand must
107Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?
- Wir glauben, ? das finite Verb
- we believe the finite verb
- ganz am Ende im deutschen
- wholly atthe end inthe German
- Nebensatz stehen muss.
- nextclause stand must
108Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?
- Wir glauben, das finite Verb muss
- we believe the finite verb must
- ganz am Ende im deutschen
- wholly atthe end inthe German
- Nebensatz stehen.
- nextclause stand
109Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?
- Wir glauben, das finite Verb muss
- we believe the finite verb must
- ganz am Ende im deutschen
- wholly atthe end inthe German
- Nebensatz stehen.
- nextclause stand
110The finite verb stands at the end of the German
embedded clause
- Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb
- we believe that the finite verb
- ganz am Ende im deutschen
- wholly atthe end inthe German
- Nebensatz wird stehen müssen.
- nextclause will stand have to
111Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?
- Wir glauben, ? das finite Verb
- we believe the finite verb
- ganz am Ende im deutschen
- wholly atthe end inthe German
- Nebensatz wird stehen müssen.
- nextclause will stand have to
112Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?
- Wir glauben, das finite Verb wird
- we believe the finite verb will
- ganz am Ende im deutschen
- wholly atthe end inthe German
- Nebensatz stehen müssen.
- nextclause stand have to
113Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?
- Wir glauben, das finite Verb wird
- we believe the finite verb will
- ganz am Ende im deutschen
- wholly atthe end inthe German
- Nebensatz stehen müssen.
- nextclause stand have to
114Does the finite verb always stand at the end of
the embedded clause?
- Wir glauben, das finite Verb hat
- we believe the finite verb has
- ganz am Ende im deutschen
- wholly atthe end inthe German
- Nebensatz stehen müssen.
- nextclause stand had to
115Observations (preliminary)
- Verbs pile up at the ends of both main and
subordinate clauses (excepting V-2nd in main
clauses)
116Observations (preliminary)
- Verbs pile up at the ends of both main and
subordinate clauses (excepting V-2nd in both main
and subordinate clauses)
117Observations (preliminary)
- Verbs pile up at the ends of both main and
subordinate clauses - The finite (inflected) verb is in second position
in both main and subordinate clauses when no dass
is present
118Observations (preliminary)
- Verbs pile up at the ends of both main and
subordinate clauses - The finite (inflected) verb is in second position
in both main and subordinate clauses when no dass
is present
119Observations (preliminary)
- Verbs pile up at the ends of both main and
subordinate clauses - The finite (inflected) verb is in second position
in both main and subordinate clauses when no dass
is present - ? This looks suspiciously like
an important generalization
120The beginnings of a prediction
- If a dass or another word similar to it (a
complementizer) is present in a German MAIN
clause, - will the finite verb appear at the end?
- Dass ich nicht lache!
- that I not laugh
- Dont make me laugh!
121The beginnings of a prediction
- If a dass or another word similar to it (a
complementizer) is present in a German MAIN
clause, - will the finite verb appear at the end?
- Dass ich nicht lache!
- that I not laugh
- Dont make me laugh!
122The beginnings of a prediction
- If a dass or another word similar to it (a
complementizer) is present in a German MAIN
clause, - will the finite verb appear at the end?
- ich nicht lache
- I not laugh
-
123The beginnings of a prediction
- If a dass or another word similar to it (a
complementizer) is present in a German MAIN
clause, - will the finite verb appear at the end?
- ich lache nicht
- I laugh not
-
124The beginnings of a prediction
- If a dass or another word similar to it (a
complementizer) is present in a German MAIN
clause, - will the finite verb appear at the end?
- Ich lache nicht!
- I laugh not
- Im not laughing!
125The verb always stands in 2nd position in the
German main clause
- Das Verb steht immer an zweiter Stelle
- the verb stands always at second place
- im deutschen Hauptsatz.
- inthe German mainclause
126Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?
- Steht das Verb immer an zweiter Stelle
- stands the verb always at second place
- im deutschen Hauptsatz?
- inthe German mainclause
- ? ordinary V-1st out-of-the-blue
yes/no- question in a neutral context
127Does the verb always stand in 2nd position in a
German main clause?
- Ob das Verb immer an zweiter Stelle
- if the verb always at second place
- im deutschen Hauptsatz steht?
- inthe German mainclause stands
- ? repetition seeking confirmation that the
question is correctly understood
128If only the verb would stay in 2nd position in a
German main clause!
- Wenn das Verb nur immer an zweiter
- if the verb only always at second
- Stelle im deutschen Hauptsatz
- place inthe German mainclause
- stünde!
- wouldstand
129How unreliably the verb stays in 2nd position in
a German main clause!
- Wie unzuverlässig das Verb an zweiter
- how unreliably the verb at second
- Stelle im deutschen Hauptsatz
- place inthe German mainclause
-
- steht!
- stands
130Observations (preliminary)
- Verbs pile up at the ends of both main and
subordinate clauses - The finite (inflected) verb is in second position
in both main and subordinate clauses when no dass
is present
131Observations
- Verbs pile up at the ends of both main and
subordinate clauses - The finite (inflected) verb is in second position
in both main and subordinate clauses when no dass
is present - The finite verb is in final position in both main
and subordinate clauses when a complementizer is
present
132Observations
- Verbs pile up at the ends of both main and
subordinate clauses - The finite (inflected) verb is in second position
in both main and subordinate clauses when no dass
is present - The finite verb is in final position in both main
and subordinate clauses when a complementizer is
present
133Generalizations
- Verbs act pretty much the same in both main and
subordinate clauses - most verb forms occur clause-finally
- verb-2nd is in complementary distribution
with complementizers - complementizer present (finite) V-final
- complementizer absent (finite) V-2nd
134Generalizations (rearranged)
- Most verb forms occur clause-finally in both main
and subordinate clauses - Finite verbs also occur clause-finally in both
main and subordinate clauses when a
complementizer is present - Finite verbs occur in second position (V-2nd)
only when there is no complementizer in the
clause
135Proposal
- Since verbs most often occur at the end of
clauses, why not make that the rule rather than
the exception? - Instead of saying that verb-2nd word order is
normal, why not treat it as the exception to
the rule instead?
136Proposal (continued)
- Instead of saying that German has two different
word orders for main and subordinate clauses, - say that all verbs occur clause-finally except
when there is no complementizer present in the
clause, - in which case the finite verb occurs in second
position (and only then).
137Proposal (continued)
- This is tantamount to saying that
- verb-final, subject-object-verb (SOV) word order
is basic to German - verb-2nd (SVO) word order is derived
- this is diametrically opposed to the assumptions
of traditional grammar
138Questions
- How do we account for verb-second if its an
exception rather than the rule? - Complementizers and finite verbs are in
complementary distribution are they somehow
jockeying for position? - Do complementizers block finite verbs in second
position because they
occupy a sentence position that
the finite verb needs for V-2nd?
139More basic questions
- Where do complementizers occur?
- Where exactly is second position in German
clause structure?
140Where do complementizers occur?
- MAIN CLAUSES
- Ob das Verb immer an zweiter Stelle
- if the verb always at second place
- im deutschen Hauptsatz steht?
- inthe German mainclause stands
141Where do complementizers occur?
- SUBORDINATE CLAUSES
- Wir glauben, dass das finite Verb
- we believe that the finite verb
-
- ganz am Ende im deutschen
- wholly atthe end inthe German
- Nebensatz steht.
- nextclause stands
142Where do complementizers occur?
- Answer
- Right before the subject of the clause
143More basic questions
- Where do complementizers occur?
- Right before the subject of the clause
- Where exactly is second position in German
clause structure?
144Where exactly is second position?
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - Im deutschen Hauptsatz steht das Verb an zweiter
Stelle.
145Where exactly is second position?
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - An zweiter Stelle steht das Verb im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - Im deutschen Hauptsatz steht das Verb an zweiter
Stelle.
146More basic questions
- Where do complementizers occur?
- Right before the subject of the clause
- Where exactly is second position in German
clause structure?
147More basic questions
- Where do complementizers occur?
- Right before the subject of the clause
- Where exactly is second position in German
clause structure? - Right before the subject of the clause
148More basic questions
- Where do complementizers occur?
- Right before the subject of the clause
- Where exactly is second position in German
clause structure? - Right before the subject of the clause
- Where is verb-2nd when the subject is in first
position?
149Where exactly is second position?
- main clauses
- Das Verb steht an zweiter Stelle im
deutschen Hauptsatz. - subordinate clauses
- Wir glauben, das finite Verb steht ganz am
Ende im
deutschen Nebensatz.
150More basic questions
- Where do complementizers occur?
- Right before the subject of the clause
- Where exactly is second position in German
clause structure? - Right before the subject of the clause
- Where is verb-2nd when the subject is in first
position? -
151More basic questions
- Where do complementizers occur?
- Right before the subject of the clause
- Where exactly is second position in German
clause structure? - Right before the subject of the clause
- Where is verb-2nd when the subject is in first
position? -
152More basic questions
- Where do complementizers occur?
- Right before the subject of the clause
- Where exactly is second position in German
clause structure? - Right before the subject of the clause
- Where is verb-2nd when the subject is in first
position?
153More basic questions
- Where do complementizers occur?
- Right before the subject of the clause
- Where exactly is second position in German
clause structure? - Right before the subject of the clause
- Where is verb-2nd when the subject is in first
position? - Immediately after it
154More basic questions
- Where do complementizers occur?
- Right before the subject of the clause
- Where exactly is second position in German
clause structure? - Right before the subject of the clause (but
after subjects in first position)
155(less basic) Questions
- How do we account for verb-second if its an
exception rather than the rule?
156(less basic) Questions
- Complementizers and finite verbs are in
complementary distribution are they somehow
jockeying for position? - Apparently yes preceding the subject
- Do complementizers block finite verbs in second
position because they occupy a sentence
position that the finite verb
needs for V-2nd? - Yes, right before the subject position
157(less basic) Questions
- How do we account for verb-second if its an
exception rather than the rule?
158More less basic questions
- More generally, how do we account for the various
German word orders? - verb-final when there is
- complementizer present
- verb-initial in yes/no-questions
- verb-second in declaratives
- (subject-first and/or subject-third)
- verb-second in wh-questions
159Basic sentence structure
160Elaborated sentence structure (roughly after
Chomsky 1985)
161Verb-final word order
162Verb-final word order
163Verb-final word order
164Verb-final word order
165Yes/no-question word order
166Yes/no-question word order
167Verb-2nd, subject-3rd order
168Wh-question word order
169Yes/no-question word order
170Yes/no-question word order
171Subject-1st, verb-2nd order
172Bonus conditionals
173Bonus conditionals
174Bonus conditionals
175Bonus conditionals
176Bonus conditionals
177The problem of separable prefixes
- Wir wissen, dass die Verben sich
- we know that the verbs REFL
- am Ende des Satzes anhäufen.
- atthe end ofthe sentence uppile
- We know that the verbs pile up at the end of the
sentence.
178The problem of separable prefixes
- Wir wissen, die Verben häufen sich
- we know the verbs pile REFL
- am Ende des Satzes an.
- atthe end ofthe sentence up
- We know the verbs pile up at the end of the
sentence.
179The mystery
- If verb-2nd is the normal word order for German
clauses, - what is the prefix doing hanging around at the
end of the clause?
180The textbooks solution
- Deutsch aktiv (1983)
- When using a verb with separable prefix in
German, the prefix is separated from the verb and
moved to the end of the sentence. - Neue Horizonte, 5th edition (1999)
- In the present tense and the imperative, the
prefix is separated from the verb and placed at
the end of the sentence or clause.
181The textbooks solution
- Kontakte, 4th edition (2000)
- When you use a present-tense form of these
verbs, put the conjugated form in second position
and put the prefix at the end of the sentence.
The two parts of the verb form a frame or
bracket, called a Satzklammer, that encloses the
rest of the sentence.
182Satzklammer
183The problem of separable prefixes
- Wir wissen, die Verben häufen sich
- we know the verbs pile REFL
- am Ende des Satzes an.
- atthe end ofthe sentence up
- We know the verbs pile up at the end of the
sentence.
184The problem of separable prefixes
- Wir wissen, dass die Verben sich
- we know that the verbs REFL
- am Ende des Satzes anhäufen.
- atthe end ofthe sentence uppile
- We know that the verbs pile up at the end of the
sentence.
185The problem of separable prefixes
- Wir wissen, die Verben häufen sich
- we know the verbs pile REFL
- am Ende des Satzes an.
- atthe end ofthe sentence up
- We know the verbs pile up at the end of the
sentence.
186The problem of separable prefixes
- Wir wissen, die Verben werden sich
- we know the verbs will REFL
- am Ende des Satzes anhäufen.
- atthe end ofthe sentence uppile
- We know the verbs will pile up at the end of the
sentence.
187Bonus separable prefixes
188Bonus separable prefixes
189Bonus separable prefixes
190Bonus separable prefixes
191Bonus separable prefixes
192Bonus separable prefixes
193Bonus separable prefixes
194Bonus separable prefixes
195Summary of the analysis
- German has verb-final word order
- Complementizers and V-2nd share the same
syntactic position - Inflected verbs move into V-2nd position when
there is no complementizer present - Other constituents can move into the preceding
topic/focus position at will
196Advantages of the analysis
- Accounts for
- preponderance of clause-final verbs
- verb position similarities between main and
subordinate clauses - all clause types (declarative, interrogative,
conditional, imperative) using one basic
syntactic structure - idiosyncrasies of separable prefixes
197Advantages of the analysis
- simplifies the learning task one
structure and one rule for verb position in
all clause types - covers all verb types (e.g. prefixes)
- does not require much machinery
- subject, verb phrase, complementizer,
topic/focus, and two movement rules (for verbs
and for other constituents)
198But what will I tell my students?
- There are 2 extra sentence positions outside the
subject and verb phrase - One is for complementizers or finite
(inflected, conjugated) verbs - The other is for any other sentence constituent
- The interaction of these two positions accounts
for all German word orders
199But isnt it too hard for students?
- Is it really any harder than the endless array of
rules that the traditional grammar description of
German word order requires? - Since this analysis of word order is
comprehensive, it would follow students
throughout their careers, and not be presented
only once
200Advantages of the analysis
- allows the language its own natural ordering
principles and elegance - allows students to discover the structure of the
language, reassuring them that there is a system
to it - allows teachers to apply scientific method to
language in the classroom (zero
equipment or materials costs!)