Deep and Surface Structures in Syntax

Introduction

• Syntax: A branch/category of linguistics that deals with the arrangement of words in phrases and sentences.
  • Focuses on how words are arranged to form larger constructions.
  • Words -> Phrases -> Clauses -> Sentences.
  • Deals with sentence structure information.

Surface Structure

• Definition: Refers to grammar and the arrangement of words in sentences.

  • Focuses on the outward form of sentences without considering meaning.
  • Involves the structure, form, and arrangement observed in sentences.

• Example Sentences:

  1. "Sarah bought comfortable shoes."
  2. "Comfortable shoes were bought by Sarah."
  • Active vs. Passive:
    • First sentence: Active voice (subject: Sarah)
    • Second sentence: Passive voice (subject: Comfortable shoes)
  • Despite the same meaning, these are two different sentences in terms of surface structure.

Deep Structure

• Definition: Concerned with the meaning of sentences.

  • Focuses on the underlying concept and the basic units of meaning.
  • Deals with what the sentence actually means.

• Example Sentences:

  1. "Sarah bought comfortable shoes."
  2. "Comfortable shoes were bought by Sarah."
  • Meaning: Both sentences have the same meaning; hence they are the same in deep structure.

• Ambiguous Sentences: Sentences with the same surface structure but different deep structures.

  • Example: "The boy saw the man with the telescope."

    • Meaning 1: The boy used a telescope to see the man.
    • Meaning 2: The boy saw a man who had a telescope.

  • Usage: Helps in interpreting sentences with multiple meanings.

Conclusion

• Understanding both surface and deep structures is crucial for analyzing sentence structure and meaning.
• Surface structure focuses on form and arrangement.
• Deep structure focuses on meaning and interpretation.

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