category of correlation

The grammatical category

Grammatical category - is a system of expressing a generalized gr. m-g by means of
paradigmatic correlation or gr. forms. (Blokh)
The set of gr. forms expressing a categorical function constitutes a paradigm.
The paradigmatic correlations of gr. forms in a category are exposed by the so-
called �gr. oppositions�.
The opposition � generalized correlation of lingual forms by means of which a
certain function is expressed. The correlated elements must posses two types of
features:
common (the basis of contrast)
differential (immediately express a funct. in question)
category of correlation
The notion of GC is central in Theoretical Grammar, it's very important to single
out the GC of different types of speech. For that purpose the oppositional theory
was worked out. It was originally formulated as a phonological theory.
According to the number of opposed members oppositions can be:
-Binary
-More than binary (ternary, quaternary, etc.)
Three main qualitative types of opposition
Privative (������������) (Based on a morph. differential feature which is present
in its strong (marked) member (+) and absent in its weak (unmarked) member (�),
work (-) � worked (+).The differential feat. is the suff. �(e)d)
gradual (A contrastive pair or group of members which are distinguished not by
the presence or absence of a feature but by the degree of it. big � bigger �
biggest)
equipollent (�����������) (A contrastive pair or group in which the members are
distinguished by different positive features. In morph. it is mostly confined to
formal relations. am � is � are (correlation of the person forms of the verb to
be))
�oppositional reduction�
In various contextual conditions one member of the opposition can be used instead
of the other, counter-member. This phenomenon is called �oppositional reduction� or
oppositional substitution�:
- neutralization (Next week we start for Moscow), i.e. the use of the weak member
instead of the strong;
- transposition (She is always grumbling), i.e. the use of the strong member
instead of the weak one.
e.g. Man conquers nature. (�man� is used in the sg. but it stands for people in
general. The weak member of the categorical opposition of number has replaced the
stronger member.)
Tonight we start for London. (The opposition �present �future� has been reduced,
the weaker member (present) replacing the strong one (future).)
Types of categories
- notional (of quantity, agent);
- semantic (of gender, modality);
- morphological (number and case of nouns; degrees of comparison; tense, voice,
aspect, correlation, mood of verbs);
- syntactical (of predicativity, of agent).
Different modes of expressing grammatical meaning:
inflexions (work-er-o � work-er-s). Homonymy of grammatical morphemes (-ing �
Gerund and Participle I);
sound alternation ( man � men, have - has);
analytical means (analytical forms). Prof. Barkhudarov: analytical forms are always
marked with the help of discontinuous morphemes (have+ -en; be + -ing; be + -en).
Criteria to differentiate analytical forms:
suppletivity (I � me, go � went, bad - worse).