Grammatical opposition
The opposition (in the linguistic sense) may be defined as a generalised correlation of lingual forms by means of which a certain function is expressed.
The correlated elements (members) of the opposition must possess two types of features: common features and differential features.
Common features serve as the basis of contrast, while differential features immediately express the function in question.
The oppositional theory was originally formulated
as a phonological theory.
Theory of oppositions
N. S. Trubetskoy, a member of the Prague Linguistic Circle, developed it at the turn of the 20th century for the purposes of phonological research; later it became widely employed in the
analysis of grammatical
categories. Nikolay Sergeyevich Trubetskoy (Moscow
1890 – Vienna,
1938)
MEMBERS OF OPPOSITION
“Marked”, “strong”, or “positive” (symbol +) member of the opposition is characterized by the presence of the differential feature
Eg: girls
“Unmarked”, “weak”, or “negative” (symbol -). member of the opposition is characterized by the absence of the differential feature
Eg: girl ____
Types of oppositions
Privative |
gradual |
equipollen |
t |
Binary |
(2 members) |
Ternary |
(3 members) |
Quaternary |
(4 members) |
Types of oppositions
Privative – members of the opposition are characterized by the presence/absence of a certain differential feature, which serves as the formal mark of one of its members;
Gradual is formed by a series of members which are distinguished not by the presence or absence of a differential feature, but by the degree of it, cf.: big – bigger - biggest.
Equipollent is formed by members, which are distinguished by a number of their own features, eg suppletive forms: one - first, go – went; correlation of the person and number forms of the verb be: am – are – is (was – were).
member of an opposition can be used in the position of the other, counter-member ("oppositional reduction" or "oppositional substitution“).
Oppositional reduction |
Oppositional |
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points out the fact that |
substitution shows |
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the opposition in this |
the very process by |
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case is contracted, |
which the opposition |
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losing its formal |
is reduced, namely, |
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distinctive force: |
the use of one |
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member instead of |
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Man conquers |
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the other. |
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nature. |
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Oppositional reduction
Neutralization takes place when the used grammatical form loses its own functional meaning and acquires the meaning of its counter-member; ie, it becomes functionally equivalent with its oppositional counter-member.
It is stylistically indifferent (neutral);
it happens when the weak member of the opposition is used in the meaning of the strong one,
e.g.: The rose is my favourite flower
(=Roses are my favourite flowers) - the singular, the weak member is used instead of the plural, the strong member.
Transposition takes place when one member of the opposition preserves to a certain extent its original functional meaning alongside the meaning of its counterpart; the two functional meanings are actually combined.
It is stylistically marked (a grammatical mechanism of figurativeness, a grammatical metaphor).
It happens when the strong member of the opposition is used with the meaning of the weak one.
e.g.: the waters of the ocean, the sands of the desert – the plural, the strong member of the number category opposition, is used instead of the singular, the weak member.
NEUTRALISATION: (–) |
(+) |
WEAK (-) |
STRONG |
(+) |
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TRANSPOSITION: (+) |
(–) |
STRONG (+) |
WEAK |
(-) |
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STYLISTICALLY MARKED
The Grammatical system of the language
Grammatical meaning
The Grammatical category
Grammatical category is the unity of two or more grammatical forms opposed or related in terms of grammatical meaning. The grammatical meaning is revealed through a number of forms (paradigm)
The grammatical category does not exist without its formal markers.
The grammatical category includes no less than two opposed forms
2 – the category of number (singular :: plural)
3 - the category of gender (masculine :: feminine :: neuter); the category of degrees of comparison
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Aristotle was the first |
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to introduce the term |
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‘category’. |
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He distinguished 10 |
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categories: essence, |
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time, number, quality |
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etc. |
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These principles |
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became basic in |
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categorizing, (form – |
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meaning). In broad |
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sense any group of |
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language elements |
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having one common |
Aristotle (384-322 BC) |
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trait can be regarded a |
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category |
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