Syncretism as the main reason for the development of transitional character in complex sentences with relationships of purpose - condition

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Donetsk National Medical University

Syncretism as the main reason for the development of transitional character in complex sentences with relationships of purpose - condition

Shundel T.O.

Abstract

The study of the English sentence requires a systematic solution in connection with the modified character which is the reason for the development of intermediate links within the syntactic plane. A defining feature of the modern syntactic composition of a complex sentence in the English language is the focus on the study of the formed relationships and syncretic connections between its components. A characteristic feature is that linguists try to reveal the semantic-syntactic system of predicative units with the help of structural-semantic analysis under the condition of distinguishing the core and syncretic periphery, but they also try to show their role in establishing a connection between typical and transitional syntactic units.

Thus, in our work, considerable attention is focused on the study of the main cause of the development of an intermediate character - syncretism. The very definition of syncretism expands the field from ordinary interpenetration to forms of mixing in a broad and general sense, where a relation marker is used to express multiple functions.

The purpose of the article is to consider the functional-semantic potential of complex sentences of a transitive nature and to analyze the nature of connecting elements forming the opposition “purpose - condition”. The reliability of the research results is ensured using a number of research methods and techniques, such as general scientific methods, special methods, component analysis method, descriptive method, comparative method, modeling method, andfunctional-semantic analysis. It has been proven that in the case of imbalance between the plan of content and form and appearing syncretism, the phenomena acquire the properties of new signs when the old ones are weakened or lost. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the fact that the work attempts to analyze the asymmetric character of transitional units taking into account structural and semantic features, differentiation of both nuclear/typical language facts with an existing coincidence of form and content and units that are the result of their interaction and mutual influence, transient phenomena. When analyzing and studying syncretism as the main reason for the development of a transitive nature in complex sentences with “purpose - condition” relationships, the fact has been established that syncretism of the plan of expression in the English language most often contributes to syncretism of the plan of content, since generalizing properties in the language must have a proper design. Linguistic units of the peripheral zone cause the development of transitional signs in the constructions with the seme of purpose or condition. Constructions of such zones arise as a result of displacement of a component with a full-valued set of characteristics into an atypical syntactic function.

Key words: syncretism, compound sentence, transitional character, nuclear zone, peripheral zone, asymmetry, systemic character, opposition.

Introduction

Statement of the problem. The change of the usual syntactic function to the occasional one is the main sign of the transition at the level of syntax, since syntax is the basic center of grammar and variations of the syntactic function are the main condition for the development of a complicated semantic meaning of a transitional nature. As a result of this phenomenon, transitivity leads to certain difficulties in the classification of complex clauses in the English language as subordination markers change their differential signs under the influence of syntactic function in certain contextual conditions.

The general conditions of transitional phenomena are related to the peculiarities of the functioning of the language system at different levels and the presence of oppositions of linguistic phenomena in it that determines the possibility of the development of intermediate, transitional units. And the immediate boost for the development of these syncretic facts in the English language is the violation of symmetry between the form and the content.

The development of the asymmetric nature of transitional units leads to the multifacetedness of linguistic and speech facts that indicates the need to distinguish structural and semantic features, identify obligatory and optional properties and differentiate not only nuclear, typical linguistic facts with a coincidence of form and content but also units with transitional character. The latter do not always fit into existing classifications as they can disrupt its orderliness. The frequency and regularity of their development indicates the systemic nature of such phenomena. The selection of typical language facts and transitional ones necessitates the use of the oppositional method in the study of syncretic phenomena. First of all, such an analysis involves the identification of the similarity of the units of opposition that made it possible to combine them into an opposition. Besides it helps to analyze the differences of differential features which weaken.

According to A. Onatii's observations, the understanding of complex sentences of an asymmetric nature can occur due to the construction of a new classification taking into account the core zone and the peripheral one [3]. We fully share the researcher's point of view regarding the classification framework of complex sentences and consider it necessary to analyze the sentences of the semi-nuclear zone as constructions of a transitional nature. The peripheral zone consists of linguistic units of a transpositional nature which cause the development of transitional signs of one or another linguistic construction. The constructions of such zones arise as a result of displacement of a component with a full-valued set of characteristics into an atypical syntactic function. Thus, the emergence of two syntactic projections is explained by the weakening of the nominative value and the strengthening of the additional one.

Analysis of the recent research and publications. The study of hybrid phenomena in the English language leads to the need to define core and peripheral structures, as well as additional meanings that complicate the main one. But at the same time, discussion of the term “syncretism” deserves special attention. Most scientists interpret syncretism as a universal means of language, its linguistic universality. Researchers consider it to be a phenomenon permeating all levels of the linguistic structure as it has multifunctional nature. Thus, Yu. Baida believes that one of the main factors that lead to the development of syncretism is “the supporting component, namely its categorical meaning” [1, p. 40].

While studying the essence of syncretism Yu. Nalyvaiko claims that this phenomenon is dominant at the level of syntax and most accurately conveys the essence of such terminological units as hybrid and syncretic thanks to a number of specific features [2].

According to B. Storme, syncretism in the English language occurs when the expression of grammatical differences in the context occurs due to language variations and resource potential [8]. J. Hein and E. Murphy note that it is the very syncretism that has the special property of correcting violations of syntactic constraints [6].

Thus, we see that attempts made by researchers to include syncretic constructions within the framework of generally accepted classifications remain futile, as they encounter resistance from the language and speech material denying the opportunity to clarify the nature of hybrid units. The desire of researchers to give a more or less clear definition of hybrid units forces them to interpret the concept of syncretism but they have not managed to reach an agreement on this issue yet.

Talking about syncretism M. Baerman and D. Brown point out that most researchers have made assumptions about the inadequacy of its description due to its limited nature. The scientists say that it can be caused by two factors. First, syncretism is something of an aberration. Researchers assume a relationship between morphosyntactic function and a form and syncretism is a violation of this assumption. Then, a morphological description of a particular type of syncretism must contain two elements:

- a list of the set of values that are syncretic,

- a way of associating that set with a form. To a large extent, the limitations of syncretism are the result of how these elements are treated [4].

In M. Baerman's paper syncretism is considered as a phenomenon that occurs when two or more different morphosyntactic meanings are combined into one word form being subject to change [5].

The hybridity of syncretism is such that the manifestation of this process at the level of the English sentence leads to the expansion of the expressive possibilities of the language by saving its own, unrealized means existing in the language. The analysis of the actual material gives reason to believe that in syncretism we face the phenomena that differ in the general non-fragmentation of the content plan due to the fact that they are different planes of the same object of existing reality. Therefore, syncretism is characteristic of the objects that are characterized both by complexity mobility and systemic relationships. It should be noted that at different levels language units are characterized by a complicated system that combines not only the plan of content but also the plan of expression. However, it does not emphasize the idea that the functioning of the unity of these two plans of language units can lead to complete correspondence that is to the symmetry of the sides of content and form. To overcome this asymmetry languages must have a mobile structure of their signs, generate various shifts in form and content relative to each other.

Task statement. The goal of the research is to study and analyze the structural-semantic nature of complex constructions with a subordinate part that is in opposition “purpose - condition”, to identify and study the transitional nature of these units considering syncretism as the main cause of asymmetric relationships in the language. Getting the goal can be accomplished by solving some tasks. First, it's to investigate the essence of syncretism at the level of complex sentences as the main reason for the development of a transitional nature and to consider the structural features of nuclear, peripheral and transitional models of complex sentences using the scale of transitivity. Then, it's necessary to characterize the semantic modifications of their transitional and peripheral zones and to reveal the essence of the interaction of transitional models of the subordinate part of complex sentences with the relationships “purpose - condition”. At last, it's obligatory to investigate the functional features of universal synthesized complex sentences of a syncretic nature.

The outline of the main material of the study

It should be noted that the existence of such a linguistic phenomenon as syncretism and the use of a universal model of transitivity leads to language flexibility as well as enriches informative semantics due to the mobility of linking words in the subordinate part to express different shades. It depicts the factors of differentiation of relationships in the transition zone and reveals semantic capacity and syntactic polyfunctionality.

Syncretism helps to explain the variety of synthesized features of structural-semantic classes of sentences in the language that are subject to syncretism functioning in the language as complicated forms in formal and semantic-syntactic terms. The tendency of language elements towards syncretism is explained by such factors as the linguistic tendency to complicate structures with secondary syntactic functions, as well as the tendency of the language to save its own means in linguistic expression.

Syncretism plays a major role in shaping the idea of syntactic units and their ability to provide a systematic description of the language the main cause of which is considered to be transitivity. At the same time, the fact is noted that the content is the leading side of the object, while the form represents the side that can be transformed or modified in the conditions of changing the functioning of the content.

Thanks to the changing nature of the form and its relative independence, an active interaction of form and content can occur. As you know, the unity of the content and the form is a relative process, so the plane of content can collide with the plane of form that is a leading feature when considering and studying syncretic phenomena.

In the case of imbalance between the plan of content and form and syncretism development the phenomena acquire the properties of new signs when the old ones are weakened or lost. A change in the internal form and asymmetry in the relationship between the signifier and the signified can be manifested in two ways. An asymmetric ratio of the sides of the sign appears when one element of the plan of expression corresponds to several in the plan of content or, conversely, one element of the plan of content corresponds to several ones in the plan of expression.

The realization of this phenomenon is observed only in the context which is the main condition for the existence of syncretism as a linguistic sign. The fact is noted that in the English language syncretism of the plan of expression most often contributes to syncretism of the plan of content since generalizing properties in the language must have an appropriate form. It is thanks to this phenomenon that a lively variety of language arises not fitting into the traditional framework of syntax.

In the English language the complex sentences with the semantic field of purpose is widely studied by many scientists, but the functioning of subordinate units of a transitional nature with extra semantics of condition has not been analyzed until now. It seems interesting to us to consider the intermediate zones of complex constructions of purpose from the point of view of their functional ability to acquire an additional shade of condition. So, the main types of complex sentences with relationships of purpose and condition, as well as their intermediate types with transitional character can be represented as follows:

A. a) ... she slowly made her way to work so that she had to go to the shop [9, p. 152].

b) ... she quickly spooned another dollop of pease pudding in the bowl fo fear that he wasn't facing her direction [9, p. 85].

Ab. a) She had no need to lock her door against him so that her husband might return [9, p. 45].

b) They followed Florence into the “the parlour” so that she might be able present a fascinating picture of a Victorian sitting-room [9, p. 235].

AB.-

aB. ... and she felt she would be crying in case that the doctor hadn't given her a sedative [9, p. 9].

B. Would they both still be alive if the Addamses had never left [9, p. 274].

You'll have to manage somehow, love, once the worst comes to the worst [9, p. 88].

A complex analysis of nuclear complex sentencesof zone A showed that the relationship of purpose is conveyed using a set of connectives so that (example a), for fear that (example b), so as (The door was wide open so as she heard Charlie walk in [9, p. 322]), in order that (I've been phoning around all over the place, trying to find at in order that he could possibly have got ashore either here or on the mainland [7, p. 27]) and others which convey the defined semantics.

The units of nuclear zone B convey relationships of condition. The semantic load of nuclear constructions is one-dimensional due to the fact that in addition to conjunctions (if, unless, in case, on condition that, as long as, suppose that, providing that, etc.) which shows the semantics of condition (And as long as I know Gerald, he'll take great delight in telling Joseph [9, p. 130]; Be happy release providing that you ask me for the poor little cow [9, p. 97]; Unless the worst comes to the worst I'll try and find another job [9, p. 155]), in the structure of these subordinate units there is the correlate then (If that was meant as a joke, young man, then I for one don't think it was funny [9, p. 126]; If this goes on much longer then we might be in the same boat [9, p. 155]).

An in-depth analysis of these complex sentences shows that the semantics of condition can be expressed with the help of a certain number of qualifiers that strengthen the semantic content of conditional constructions. According to our observations, modal qualifiers even, especially, particularly, only (... and I don't even mind ifI have to sleep in Ted's room [9, p. 126]; ... and only if she does get someone in to run the place they'll soon seen her off [9, p. 242]; It would possible break my heart in case I lost you again [9, p. 300]), or modal verbs (You'll have to have help ifyou do decide to stay [9, p. 245]; ... he could throw them out on the street unless he felt like it [9, p. 129]).

The development of transitional units of the syncretic nature of Ab link is due to the possibility of considering the types of target expressions. Thus, structures of purpose can act as relevant when the situation is self-evident, that is, the subject's desire to realize purpose is taken into account (... he lived only for Saturdays and the school holidays so that he could be with Mr. Lacy [9, p. 203]; He straightened up and opened the door lest she walked past him and into the yard [7, p. 131]; unreal (Constance moved slightly so that she could see the priest [9, p. 186]; She got to her feet and walked to the open door so that she might look on to the empty terrace and the greater emptiness of the land beyond that stretched away to meet the heavens [7, p. 180]).

Thus, the idea of condition is the basis for the development of conditional semantics in subordinate clauses of purpose, as evidenced by the use of modal verbs of the intended semantics (might, be able).

The structure b of the intermediate link Ab implements a vivid example of conventional units of purpose. Conventional complex sentences can be transformed into complex constructions of purpose with additional semantics of condition: They followed Florence into the “the parlor” so that she might be able to present a fascinating picture of a Victorian sitting-room - She might be able to present a fascinating picture of a Victorian sitting-room if they followed Florence into “the parlour”.

In the sentences of the transition zone aB there is a tendency to the core of condition which is explained by the use of conditional words in the structure of the English complex sentences (in case, on the reason): ... but she too worried if Milly was a little late coming in, in case that she'd had bad news [9, p. 343]; I gave a gasp of sheer fright on the reason that I gasped myself full of water and went under [7, p. 17]. syntactic english syncretic complex sentence

The complex syntactic structure of the syncretic complex sentence of crossed semantic vectors can be specified using the transformation of the polysemantic conjunction that. The function of purpose in the subordinate part is reduced, and the semantics of condition is postulated: . and she felt she would be crying in case that the doctor hadn't given her a sedative - ... and she felt she would be crying in case if the doctor hadn't given her a sedative; I gave a gasp of sheer fright on the reason that I gasped myself full of water and went under - I gave a gasp of sheer fright on the reason if I gasped myself full of water and went under.

We did not find a sentence of the intermediate link AB with an equal ratio of purpose seme and condition seme as it is impossible to trace the use of connectives which can be characteristic of both proper-purpose structures and proper-conditional units at the same time. Secondly, it is impossible to use the transformation of complex constructions without significantly changing their semantic load.

Conclusions

The conducted research expands the idea that the functioning of syncretic phenomena causes significant shifts at different levels of the language system causing the weakening of the main semantic and syntactic meanings. In other words, the processes of syncretism form a mechanism for the development of new units of a transitional nature in the linguistic structure of the English language and, at the same time, they are a spectrum of reflection of new connections with old ones. A word gets new, additional structural-semantic functions under the condition of its use in a syntactic function not characteristic of it and, as a result, old connections temporarily disappear or weaken.

We see the prospects for further research in the detailed study and research of syncretism as the main reason for the functioning of complex constructions of a transitional nature with an invariant meaning and a modified nature in the language.

Bibliography

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Анотація

Синкретизм як основна причина виникнення перехідного характеру у складнопідрядних речень з відношеннями мета - умова

Шундель Т. О.

Дослідження англійського речення потребує систематизованого розв'язання у зв'язку з модифікованим характером, що є причиною виникнення проміжних ланок в рамках синтаксичної площини. Визначальною рисою сучасного синтаксичного складу складнопідрядного речення в англійській мові є орієнтація на вивчення утворюваних взаємовідношень та синкретичних зв'язків між його компонентами.

Характерною ознакою є те, що лінгвісти намагаються не тільки розкрити семантико-синтаксичну систему предикативних одиниць за допомогою структурно-семантичного аналізу за умови розмежування ядра та синкретичної периферії, але показати їх роль в здійсненні зв'язку між типовими та перехідними синтаксичними одиницями. Так, в нашій роботі значна увага зосереджується на дослідженні основної причини виникнення проміжного характеру - синкретизму. Саме визначення синкретизму розширює поле від звичайного взаємопроникнення до форм змішування в широкому та загальному сенсі, коли маркер відношень використовується для вираження декількох функцій.

Мета статті - розглянути функціонально-семантичний потенціал складнопідрядних речень перехідної природи та проаналізувати природу з'єднувальних елементів, що утворюють опозицію «мета - умова».

Достовірність результатів дослідження забезпечено за допомогою низки методів та прийомів дослідження, як загальнонаукові методи, спеціальні методи, метод компонентного аналізу, описовий метод, зіставний метод, метод моделювання та функціонально-семантичний аналіз. Доведено, що у випадку невідповідності плану змісту і форми, коли з'являється синкретизм, явища набувають властивостей нових ознак при послабленні або втраті старих. Наукова новизна дослідження полягає в тому, що в роботі здійснюється спроба проаналізувати асиметричний характер перехідних одиниць з урахуванням структурних та семантичних ознак, диференціації не тільки ядерних/типових мовних фактів з наявним збіг форми й змісту, але й одиниць, які є результатом їх взаємодії й взаємовпливу, перехідних явищ.

Висновки. При аналізі й досліджені синкретизму як головної причини виникнення перехідного характеру у складнопідрядних речень з відношеннями «мета - умова» встановлюється факт, що синкретизм плану вираження в англійській мові найчастіше сприяє синкретизмові плану змісту, оскільки узагальнювальні властивості в мові повинні мати належне оформлення. Мовні одиниці периферійної зони спричинюють появу перехідних ознак у конструкціях мети чи умови. Конструкції таких зон виникають внаслідок зміщення компонента з повнозначним набором характеристик в нетипову синтаксичну функцію.

Ключові слова: синкретизм, складнопідрядне речення, перехідний характер, ядерна зона, периферійна зона, асиметрія, системний характер, опозиція.

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