English Grammar [antikvár]

Preface 'English Grammar' is intended as a handbook for students of English, i.e. learners who are interested in the way in which the grammatical system of the English language can be described, understood and used. As part of our efforts to improve the teaching of English, this grammar has been supported by the Ministries of Education and Higher Education of the GDR. A book on English grammar written nowadays cannot keep away from the mainstream of grammar. There has been in recent times considerable controversy as to basic theoretical problems of grammar, and a good deal of new thought has been stimulated by this. The present description is not a passive reflection of, and is not indebted to, one particular 'school' of linguistics, but makes purposeful use of linguistic development in general. The aims set e.g. by the curricula for the training of teachers of English try to view language in its dialectic of both system and social activity. In this sense 'English Grammar' is meant to provide a platform for the theoretical and practical teaching of English grammar which is in keeping with present-day linguistic research. At the same time it hopes to contribute to a high level of scientific work. In applying linguistics in such a way various considerations must be taken into account. Among them are these: — Practical applicability and illustration (without undue simplification) are given priority over theoretical deliberations and comprehensiveness. — The need to improve on pedagogical grammars must be recognized with regard to theoretical insight and practical needs. — Terminology and parts of the presentation, though they may seem to be unfamiliar at first sight, are a necessary part of the approach adopted here. — Description centres around that variety of English which is most relevant to the foreign learner, bearing in mind specific needs in the GDR (as for instance scientific-technological and political registers). The language material used for illustration and verification has largely been drawn from a specially selected corpus within this range (cf. p. 21 and pp. 386f.). — Major differences between English and German relevant to the purpose of this book have been taken into account. — Results of linguistic research of various kinds are applied and included — with a synthesis wherever possible — but problems connected with different approaches are not discussed. — Works by other linguists used in the book are given in the bibliography (see pp. 390 ff.) but not quoted in the text.