Some subordinate clause constructions in modern German, Swedish and English
This study is an examination of subordinate clause constructions, focusing in particular on dass-clauses in German, and where necessary their Swedish and English equivalents. Chapter 1 discusses previous definitions of the term ~subordinate clause~, concluding that the presence of a COMP node in the underlying structure of subordinate clauses accounts for differences in their behaviour from that of main clauses. In Chapter 2 we examine the role of primary and ancillary markers of syntactic status, which serve to disambiguate syntactic relations. Chapter 3 concentrates on the function of these markers in German, showing that this language requires a comprehensive system of surface markers, due to the potential ambiguity arising from the existence of a number of polyfunctional elements and constructions. This chapter also includes a discussion of the use of the Subjunctive, which is viewed as yet another ancillary marker in German. Resultant upon this, the verbs of Reported Speech are focused upon in Chapter 4, where a reappraisal of this type of dass-clause is undertaken. Chapter 5 explores supporting evidence from recent analyses of German, discussing the implications of our findings for a general theory of
Fennell, Barbara Anne
Linguistics
Some subordinate clause constructions in modern German, Swedish and English. This study is an examination of subordinate clause constructions, focusing in particular on dass-clauses in German, and where necessary their Swedish and English equivalents. Chapter 1 discusses previous definitions of the term ~subordinate clause~, concluding that the presence of a COMP node in the underlying structure of subordinate clauses accounts for differences in their behaviour from that of main clauses. In Chapter 2 we examine the role of primary and ancillary markers of syntactic status, which serve to disambiguate syntactic relations. Chapter 3 concentrates on the function of these markers in German, showing that this language requires a comprehensive system of surface markers, due to the potential ambiguity arising from the existence of a number of polyfunctional elements and constructions. This chapter also includes a discussion of the use of the Subjunctive, which is viewed as yet another ancillary marker in German. Resultant upon this, the verbs of Reported Speech are focused upon in Chapter 4, where a reappraisal of this type of dass-clause is undertaken. Chapter 5 explores supporting evidence from recent analyses of German, discussing the implications of our findings for a general theory of
subordinate_clause construction modern_german swedish english study examination subordinate_clause construction focus_particular clauses german necessary swedish english equivalent discus previous definition_term subordinate_clause conclude presence comp node underlying_structure subordinate clauses account difference behaviour main clause examine_role primary ancillary marker syntactic status serve disambiguate syntactic relation concentrate function marker german show language require comprehensive system surface marker due potential ambiguity arise existence number element construction also_include discussion use view yet another ancillary marker german resultant upon verb reported speech focus_upon reappraisal type clause undertaken explores support evidence recent analyses german discuss implication finding general_theory