4 - Discourse and Lexis
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 September 2012
Summary
The boundary between syntax and discourse is somewhat fuzzy. Discourse deals with the order of presentation of ideas, but syntax is concerned with word order and clearly this has a big influence on the way that concepts are presented. In general, discourse takes a larger picture, analysing the way that the text develops, but inevitably there is a degree of overlap.
In the previous chapter under the heading of syntax, null-subject structures were discussed. However, one of the puzzles is why null-subject sentences are acceptable in Singapore English but not in British or American English even though all these varieties have a similar system of present-tense verbal inflections, and topic prominence was suggested as having an influence on this. The fronting of a topic belongs within the realm of discourse, because it involves manipulating word order to present ideas in a certain way, so it will be covered in this chapter.
After topic prominence has been discussed, we will consider the use of resumptive pronouns, tolerance for repetition of words, and the ubiquitous occurrence of discourse particles such as lah, ah, and also yah. Then we will proceed to deal with individual words, both those that are unique to Singapore English as a result of borrowing, compounding, or use of abbreviations, and also those that are found in other varieties of English but are used in a different way in Singapore.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Singapore English , pp. 62 - 84Publisher: Edinburgh University PressPrint publication year: 2007