Transformational Generative Grammar
Dept: BS-Eng-2k21.
Submitted to : Mam Komal Unar
Content
Generative Grammar
Properties of Generative Grammar
Deep & Surface structures
Transformational Grammar
Transformational Rules
Generative Grammar
Generative grammar is a theory of grammar, first developed by Noam Chomsky
in the 1957
introduced Generative Grammar in his book Syntactic Structure, 1957
This theory is also known as Transformational generative grammar
Any theory capable of producing well-formed sentences and rejecting ill formed sentences is referred as generative
grammar.
According to this human language is shaped by a set of basic principles that are part of the human brain (and even
present in the brains of small children).
Characteristics of Generative Grammar
Sentences : The number of sentences in native language is infinite.
all humans are born with an innate capacity for language and that this capacity shapes the rules for what is considered
correct.
Rules of language are innate.
I need water Mom
Water mom need I
Every Language has some specific and limited rules and principles.
Linguistics argues that Rules are innate.
Children are able to form sentence which they have never heard before.
children learn the rules of their native language because they are born with an innate set of rules.
Deep Structure and Surface Structure
Deep Structure
Abstract and deep.
It refers to concepts, thoughts, ideas, and feelings.
It conveys the actual meaning of a sentence.
Transform into basic or kernel sentences.
It depicts what you wish to express.
Deep Structure and Surface Structure
Surface Structure
Obvious and performed.
It refers to words/ languages used to reflect the deep structure.
Describes lexical, grammatical, and phonological aspect Related to speech/
performance.
Sentences are operated by rules.
It depicts how you express it.
Transformational Grammar
Transformational Simply means that changes one shape into other.
It Is a theory that is given by Noam Chomsky to transform or generate other sentences. He says that one
structure is can be converted into another sentence structure. Or changing of surface and deep structure.
Definition: Transformational grammar is a set of grammar rules that are used when. Basic clauses are
combined to form more complex sentences .
Examples of TGG
Ahmed ate the mango Active Voice
Mango was eaten by Ahmed. Passive Voice
Negation
To add not in sentence.
Ahmed ate the mango General
Ahmed did not eat mango. Negative
Ahmed eats the mango Declarative sentence .
Is Ahmed eats the mango? Question.
Transformation Rules
Jacobs and Rosenbaum (1968: 19), in their study say that a transformation is a particular Processes of alteration by which
one sentence structure is converted into another sentence structure without any change in the meaning. The changing of
deep structure to surface structure is via transformation.
“The operation is called elementary transformation. The elementary consists of adjunction, substitution, and deletion”
.
Examles
.Adjunction
The children are playing in the park
The breakfast was cooling on the counter.
Substitution
John speaks clearer than you
( John speaks more clearly )
Deletion
Some kinds of deletion
Noun Phrase Deletion
Sara can play the piano, and that Cat can play the piano too
( Sara can play the piano, and that cat can too.)
Verb Phrase Deletion
The police official refused to report the case because he was afraid to report the case.
( The police official refused to report the case because he was afraid to.)
Imperative deletion You jump------(jump)
Presenters
Akash Ali Jaan Muhammad Amin Pali Bharat Parmar
040 001 031 037