Coordination might seem like a rather clear-cut area of English syntax; yet this is not necessarily the case. In this seminar we will have a closer look at what coordination is and what distinguishes it from subordination and other related phenomena.
Aspects of interest are:
- the meaning the coordinator and conveys: Can it only convey simple addition?
- the order of coordinates: Are there ordering tendencies or even restrictions? Why is it possible to say I was tired and hungry and I was hungry and tired, and why would you rather talk of husband and wife than of wife and husband?
- what can be coordinated with what: Can you say both Jim and Sue’s children and Jim’s and Sue’s children?
- the distinction between coordination and subordination: Is it as straight-forward as we have learned in school? What new insights can linguistics offer?
- pseudo-coordination: Are two verbs linked with and always coordination? Is there a difference between Let’s try to find a B&B and Let’s try and find a B&B?
The course is open to all undergraduate students who have successfully completed Module A/ Module II. |
