Re: off topic: voicerecognition & grammar, too

["Patricia M. Godfrey" priscamg@xxxxxxxx]

Harry Binswanger wrote:
> "Grammar" concerns the syntax (structure). The issue of word-choice to
> convey the proper meaning is denoted by "diction."
>
> If Patricia meant something different, I'm sure she'll correct me.
The nomenclature of the parts of grammar, and the allocation of
disciplines as parts of grammar or independent sciences in their
own right, are by no means totally agreed upon. And frankly, I
don't think the majority opinion is very useful. But this means I
must revise the whole introduction to my grammar. And for that, I
must consult Quirk, which means a trip to the city and the NYPL,
since none of the libraries in the county system has a copy.
Briefly, I don't think syntax (or at least most of it) and usage
should be considered parts of grammar, but independent language
arts, at least in English, which lacking inflections has to
depend on syntax for much that would come under rules of concord
in Latin, Greek, or even German or Russian. This would pretty
much confine "grammar" to rules of concord (verbs should agree
with their subjects, pronouns with their antecedents), and such
few inflections as English has left (accidence).


--
Patricia M. Godfrey
priscamg@xxxxxxxx