Generic sentence là gì

Running head: THE GENERIC SENTENCE IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE

The Generic Sentence

in English and Vietnamese

Phan Thanh Xuan

Class: 4C-06

University of Pedagogy

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to discuss the linguistic recognition of generic sentences from the structure of sentences to the markers of extra and intra-clausal level such as disjuncts, adjuncts, subjuncts and tense markers. The result is qualitatively explained as a foundation for identification of generic sentences for Vietnamese learners of English and vice versa.

In this paper, I just focus on discussing the issue of identifying forms of some common types of generic sentences. Also, I try my efforts to answer the following question: How are the syntactical signals of a generic sentence realized in terms of a sentence structure, grammatical points and vocabulary?

About the method to do this paper, this is a qualitative research paper of which the final product is different syntactical features of different syntactical levels in generic sentences. Materials for this paper are sentences with generic meaning in some genres of writing text.

Introduction

Speaking of syntax and semantic features of types of sentences, linguists usually focus on types of questions, negations and some uncommon types of sentences. In the field of semantics, few people pay attention to a special type of sentence called Generic sentences, which are used a lot in daily communication contexts and academic works. The majority of our speeches to reflect reality and facts and to generalize those are called generic sentences.

Actually, in our everyday conversations, we can happen to find the following sentences:

• 
  A woman always remembers her first lover with affection.
  

Người đàn bà luôn luôn nhớ thương người tình đầu tiên của mình.

• 
  A man always blames the woman who fooled him. In the same way he blames the door he walks into in the dark
  

Đàn ông luôn đổ lỗi cho người đàn bà đã lừa phỉnh anh ta cũng giống như cách anh ta đổ lỗi cho cánh cửa dẫn anh ta vào bóng tối.

In the process of explanation, we sometimes ask ourselves whether such sentences are true for all women, whether all those who belong to the set of women or men possess such characteristic or not.

Besides, does the listener in a conversation have a tendency to think that she is an implied subject falling into such kind of women? Also, does the speaker want to indicate the listener is among them?

Generic sentences are not simply a unit of language that expresses the general properties of a typical entity of a group. This is a complicated phenomenon concerning semantics and applied linguistics. According to some researches and observations, generic sentences with all, every, any, whatever, he thatcauses a lot of difficulties for Vietnamese learners of English in regard to form recognition and semantics explanation.

Generic sentences and some related definitions

So what is Generic sentence? According to Hurford [2001], generic sentences are statements about a whole group in general not any specific individual in that group.

• 
  Unlike the lion, the tiger prefers to live alone.
  

Khác với sư tử, cọp thích sống một mình hơn.

• 
  Lions will reproduce any time of the year, and all females of reproductive maturity will breed at the same time.
  

Sư tử sinh sản vào mọi thời điểm trong năm, và những con cái trong độ tuổi trưởng thành sẽ sinh nở cùng lúc.

In sentences above, we do not indicate a specific whale or dog in a specific context at a specific time. Here in the sentences above, the tiger and lions stand for all the species of tigers and lions.

More specifically, Filip and Carlson [1997] state that generic sentences are sentences expressing frequent activities and events. [Filip & Carlson, 1997, p. 167].

In my opinion, I think that generic sentence is a special kind of sentence in which there are words grammatically arranged and special markers that help generalize features all individuals in some group have in common.

Similarities and differences in syntax of English and Vietnamese generic sentences

1. 
   Similarities
   

1. 
   Sentence pattern
   

It can be seen that generic sentences in English and in Vietnamese are simple sentences, complex sentences and compound ones. According to the data collected, verbs used in English and Vietnamese generic sentences belong to both categories: intensive and extensive. The most common type of generic sentences in English have the form: Subject + Be/Make. In Vietnamese, generic sentences with the form of affirmative declarative appear the most.

Generic sentence - a simple declarative

• 
  Marriage is the one subject on which women agree and men disagree.
  

Hôn nhân là chủ đề mà phụ nữ thì tán đồng còn đàn ông thì không.

Generic sentence a complex sentence

• 
  A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.
  

Một người bạn đúng nghĩa là người bước đến bên bạn khi cả thế giới rời xa bạn.

Generic sentence a compound sentence

• 
  Clever men are good, but they are not the best.
  

Người khôn ngoan thì tốt nhưng họ không phải những kẻ khôn ngoan nhất.

Generic sentence an interogative:

• 
  Marriage is a wonderful institution, but who would want to live in an institution? [H. L. Mencken]
  

Generic sentence an exclamative:

• 
  What a charming reconciler and peace - maker money is!
  

Đồng tiền quả là kẻ hòa giải và thiết lập hòa bình đáng gờm!

Table1

Clause structure and sentence type of English and Vietnamese generic sentences

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