Indirect questions in teaching grammar

1.2. Verbs introducing indirect speech

The verb plays a central role in syntax. The semantic-syntactic relation of predication is the main link in identifying a sentence as an integral unit of a message. The number of predicative centers expressed in a sentence serves as a determining factor for dividing sentences according to complexity. On this basis, the main structural types of a sentence are a simple sentence, a complicated sentence and a complex sentence [Bloch 2000, p.261, 295, 323, 330, 342]. Unlike the monopredicative construction of a simple sentence, a complex sentence is a polypredicative syntactic construction consisting of two or more predicative parts, united in meaning and in the form of expression.
In this paper, we are not so much interested in a complex sentence with subordinate clauses, but rather in NGN with subordinate explanatory sentences. In the syntactic construction under study, the subordinate clause does not simply indicate the attribute of the object named by the noun being defined, as in attributive clauses, but explains the content of the reference word in the main clause. Since we are interested in the features of explanatory constructions in indirect speech (in the texts of an individual author), it seems important to consider in detail the verbs that introduce indirect speech. Such verbs require special attention not so much because of the complexity of the verb category, the emphasis of the verb as the syntactic and semantic core of the sentence, but because of the syntactic and semantic structure of the verb itself.
As an input of indirect speech (CR) in English, certain verbs belonging to certain lexico-semantic groups are most often used. Each group has basic identifier verbs.
In this section, we consider it expedient not only to single out groups of verbs that introduce indirect speech and determine their semantics, but also to single out their modal component.
In this regard, let us consider in general terms the category of modality. Linguistic modality is a multifaceted, complex concept, expressing, depending on a particular context, numerous shades of speech messages that convey different modal meanings. According to V.V. Vinogradov, who first formulated the theory of modality in Russian linguistics, modality is a constructive feature of a sentence. There are objective modality (internal modal frame that forms the proposition) and subjective modality (external modal-communicative frame).
In a literary text, certain emotional states of the characters are conveyed through various modal reactions. The expressive expression of certain emotions of the speaker about the content of the message, his attitude to the message, according to G.Ya. Solganik is a characteristic feature of subjective modality [Solganik 2010, p. 8]. Consequently, the emotional component, as a specific form of expression of the speaker's attitude to the reality surrounding him, qualifies as a modal phenomenon and is included in the category of modality. EAT. Wolf believes that along with an emotional attitude to an event or phenomenon, an important part of the linguistic modality is the category of evaluation [Wolf, 2006, p.11]. According to V.V. Gurevich, modality permeates the entire communicative process, this category is inherent in the language, but is realized in speech (communicative, grammatical and lexical modality and means of modality) [Gurevich 2008, p.38-50]. Accordingly, evaluative values, like emotional expressiveness, belong to the sphere of subjective modality.
Modality is an important semantic category. Each statement has its own semantic structure - this is the actual content, a judgment denoting the event itself - a dictum (or proposition) and the speaker's attitude to this judgment, its interpretation - a modus.
Terminologically, this division of the statement into dictum and modus was first carried out by the French linguist C. Bally in 1955. Currently, new opportunities are opening up for the systematic study of syntactic semantics. Today, with the current level of development of linguistics and linguistics, modus and dictum are the key categories of semantic syntax.
The modality is expressed by the verb. The semantics of the verb of the main sentence reflects the modal-communicative aspect of the sentence, determines the goals and objectives of the speech situation as a whole.
The English verb has four main tense forms: simple, continuous, perfect, perfect-long. The specific complex verb forms always express correlation with some moment: the long form denotes simultaneity (simultaneous actions), the perfect expresses the precedence (a prior action to), the perfect-long indicates the coverage of a certain period preceding the moment. The simple form of the verb (Indefinite Form) does not contain an indication of temporal correlation, it is used to indicate an action that is not comparable with others or to list a chain of actions.
To express the speech-thinking activity of characters in a literary text through indirect speech, the authors most often use the verb in the form of the simple past tense (Past Indefinite Form). In this case, the following coordination of times occurs in the main and subordinate parts:
The Sequence of Tenses in the Past
1. Past Indefinite - Past Indefinite, Past Continuous
2. Past Indefinite - Past Perfect
3. Past Indefinite - Future-in-the-Past (would/should + Indefinite Infinitive)
In grammatical terms, the introduction of a verb into a construction with indirect speech is not difficult, it is advisable to consider the semantics of verbs that introduce indirect speech and analyze these verbs from the point of view of modus frames.
For example, speech-thinking verbs can function in a sentence both in the dictum part and in the modus frame of the message. He spoke (dictum, we call the event) how? with assurance, but quietly. And the second example of the same verb, but already functioning in a modus frame: He said, that ….
According to the method of perception and the method of obtaining information, there are three modal frames:
1. I saw, how… - direct observation of the speaker
2. I think that… - a logical operation on the facts existing in the mind
3. He told me, that ... - obtaining information in the process of verbal communication
According to the concept of G.A. There are five types of golden modus frames, each with its own set of frame predicates.
So:
1) Perceptual modal frame, which includes the verbs of feeling and perception (see, hear, feel, etc.);
2) Mental modus frame, which includes the verbs of knowledge, opinion, perception in the mental sense (to know, believe, think, count, understand, remember, guess, seem; see, hear, feel - in a mental sense);
3) Vol yunt ti vna modus na frame, which includes verbs of speech influence (want, wish, need, can, order, demand, ask)
4) Reactive modal frame - verbs with the meaning of an emotional state and verbs expressing the speaker's attitude to someone else's statement.
(glad, happy, regret, regret, rejoice, be surprised, agree, disagree, not sure, not convinced);
5) Speech modus frame includes verbs of speech (to speak, inform, prove, explain) [Zolotova 2004, p. 78].
N. D. Arutyunova distributes the meanings of the explicit mode according to four main plans: perceptual (sensory), mental (cognitive, epistemic), emotive and volitional (volitional).
The largest number of explicit modal meanings belongs to the mental plane: positing; doubt and assumption; truth value; knowledge; ignorance; general axiological assessment [Arutyunova 1988, p. 109].
1. To the sensory plane of N.D. Arutyunova relates the modes of sensory perception: see, hear, feel, notice, feel, etc.
2. To the mental plane belong modes expressing:
-opinion, opinion: (think, consider, believe, imagine, seem)
-doubt, assumption (doubtful, maybe, maybe)
-truth assessment: true, false, impossible, incredible, true, false
-knowledge: to know, to be known
- overall rating: good, bad, bad
3. The emotive plan includes the modes of emotional state and attitude: sad, disgusting, sorry, joyful
4. The volitional plan includes the modes of desire and will:
want, demand, ordered and modes of necessity: necessary, necessary: ​​[
Arutyunova, 1998, p. 411].
In this paper, we are interested in examples of explanatory constructions in indirect speech with modes of the mental plane (the mode of believing, opinions, knowledge, doubts) and perception (perceptual modes).
Consider the verbs of these classes that introduce CR as modus predicates.
We deliberately combined verbs of speech and verbs of thought into a large LSG
verbs of speech-cogitative activity, which included
- Verbs of knowledge, awareness, belief, imagination
– Verbs with the meaning of opinion and assumption
– Verbs for requesting information and answering the preceding question
- Verbs of message, story
The second large group is LSG of perceptual verbs , which includes perceptual verbs (see, hear, feel, perceive, etc) related to the perceptual modus frame and differentiated depending on the type of channel. There are visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory and gustatory perceptions.
It is necessary to take into account the fact that a person's perception of this or that information can occur in different ways and, therefore, be expressed by different types of modes. The perceptual component is included in the meaning of more verbs. We are only interested in those that can be part of an explanatory construction and verbalize the sensory or mental perception of the character. Compare, to perceive something by ear (through the verb hear) - we refer to the perceptual mode, and to perceive something through awareness (perceive in the meaning of realize) - we refer to the mental mode.
Let us consider each group of speech-thinking verbs in more detail and assign them to one or another modus frame.
Verbs of knowledge, suggestion and imagery
The group of predicates “asserting” includes the following verbs: think, consider , suppose, believe, dream, imagine, fancy, united by the common meaning “ to form an opinion or to have an opinion in the mind” . All of the verbs listed above have a common semantic component that indicates this belief - the word opinion opinion . Let's compare the dictionary definitions of some verbs of this group according to the [Macmillan] dictionary.