Prepositional Phrases across Disciplines and Research Genres

295 Pages·2016·3.93 MB·English

UNIVERSITY OF SFAX
FACULTY OF LETTERS AND HUMANITIES
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
Prepositional Phrases across
Disciplines and Research Genres: A

Syntactic and Semantic Approach
A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the

degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
By: Fatma Benelhadj
Supervised by: Prof. Akila Sellami Baklouti
2015
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Abstract
Prepositional Phrases (henceforth PPs) are known for their different forms, structures,
functions and meanings. This thesis seeks to study this construction from syntactic and
semantic perspectives. Two main perspectives to grammar are reviewed: the structural
descriptive and the functional. The choice of these two perspectives is motivated by their
focus on grammar as related to meaning. This conception of grammar follows from the
complementarity between text and context, which makes linguistic studies descriptive of
structure and also of the context. The context studied in this piece of research is that of
academic writing, focusing precisely on two genres (PhD Theses and Research Articles) and
two disciplines (Medical and Social Sciences), representing “the soft-hard continuum”
(Hyland, 2004, p. 29). The claim defended by this study is that the grammatical choices of
PPs, made possible through the arrangement of the grammar into system networks (Halliday
and Matthiessen, 2014), are “activated” by the meaning expressed, which is in turn
“activated” by contextual features (Hasan, 2009). For this purpose, a corpus of PhD Theses
and RAs from Medical and Social Sciences is collected (one million word). AntConc and
UAM CorpusTool have been used to determine the number of words and annotate the
randomly-selected and stratified sample. The analysis has revealed the presence of global and
local probabilities (Halliday and Webster, 2009), which reflect features of the language as a
whole and features related to the register, respectively. Moreover, the prepositional forms are
semantically-motivated, with simple prepositions conveying simpler and more general
meanings. Furthermore, the distribution of structure has shown that they are statistically
related to the context, as patterns of nominalization differ across the registers. Additionally,
certain correlations reveal relations between the function of the PP and the preposition
introducing it. The semantic analysis has proved that although writings in the field of
academic writing avoid direct evaluation in the use of interpersonal meanings, certain
correlations reveal that genres may differ with respect to their respective authors. Disciplines
may also differ with respect to the choice of meaning, as Medical Sciences opt for spatio-
temporal sequencing, unlike Social Sciences, where more varied meanings are selected, thus
showing a need in this discipline for more clarity as a persuasive strategy. Space is also
shaped differently across the registers, as it is content-dependent. Other probabilities have
linked the choice of participants to particular sections as the use of agentive in the
Introduction is a sign of anticipating the reader’s reaction.
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Acknowledgements

I want to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor Prof.
Akila Sellami Baklouti for all her efforts, guidance and patience
during the past five years.
My special thanks go to all my teachers, and particularly Prof.
Triki, the LAD coordinator, for all their support and care.
I would like to thank my colleagues who were kind enough to
listen to me, to proofread previous versions of this dissertation, and to
validate my data.
I am extremely indebted to my children, husband and mother for
their help, support, patience, and endurance, as they had to bear very
difficult moments.
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List of Abbreviations
AdjP: Adjective Phrase
AdvP: Adverb Phrase
Finite-wh-cl: Finite Wh-Clause
IMRD: Introduction Methods Results Discussion
Ing-cl: ing Clause
MA: Medical Articles
MASC : Medical Article Sub-Corpus
MA INT: Medical Article Introduction
MA MET: Medical Article Methods
MA RES: Medical Article Results
MA DIS: Medical Article Discussion
MD: Medical Dissertations
MDSC : Medical Dissertation Sub-Corpus
MD INT: Medical Dissertation Introduction
MD MET: Medical Dissertation Methods
MD RES : Medical Dissertation Results
MD DIS : Medical Dissertation Discussion
MS: Medical Sciences
MSSC: Medical Sciences Sub-Corpus
NP: Noun Phrase
PP: Prepositional Phrase
RA: Research Article
SA: Social Article
SASC : Social Article Sub-Corpus
SA INT: Social Article Introduction
SA MET: Social Article Methods
SA RES: Social Article Results
SA DIS : Social Article Discussion
SD: Social Dissertations
SDSC : Social Dissertation Sub-Corpus
SD INT: Social Dissertation Introduction
SD MET: Social Dissertation Methods
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SD RES: Social Dissertation Results
SD DIS: Social Dissertation Discussion
SFL : Systemic Functional Linguistics
SS: Social Sciences
SSSC: Social Sciences Sub-Corpus
Wh-to-inf: Wh to-infinitive clause
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List of Tables

Table 1. 1 List of simple prepositions ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9
Table 1. 2 The 30 most frequent complex prepositions in the BNC (Hoffmann, 2005, p. 23) ------------------------- 12
Table 1. 3 Prepositional phrases as postmodifier (Biber et al, 2007, p. 635) --------------------------------------------- 22

Table 2. 1 Space and dimension (Quirk et al., 2005, p. 673) .............................................................................. 36
Table 2. 2 Structural classification of meanings (adjuncts) (Quirk et al., 2005, p. 695/714). .............................. 45
Table 2. 3 Structural classification of meanings (subjuncts) (Quirk et. Al, 2005, p. 567) ..................................... 46
Table 2. 4 Structural classification of meanings (disjuncts) (Quirk et al., 2005, p. 615) ...................................... 46
Table 2. 5 Functional classification (Biber et al., 2007, p. 776- 879) .................................................................. 47
Table 2. 6 Functional classification (Halliday and Matthiessen, 2014, p. 187-193) ............................................ 48
Table 2. 7 Meanings expressed by adjuncts/circumstantials............................................................................. 49
Table 2. 8 Meanings expressed by stance/modal adjuncts ............................................................................... 50
Table 2. 9 Meanings expressed by conjunctive/linking adverbials..................................................................... 51

Table 3. 1 Hard versus soft sciences (Koutsantoni, 2007, p. 35) ........................................................................ 68
Table 3. 2 Model of Register Analysis following Biber and Conrad (2009, p.40 ) ................................................ 74
Table 3. 3 Register analysis of PhD theses and RAs .......................................................................................... 81

Table 4. 1Corpus distribution ........................................................................................................................... 85
Table 4. 2 Distribution of the most frequent prepositions in the corpus .......................................................... 102
Table 4. 3 Sample distribution ....................................................................................................................... 103

Table 5. 1 Percentage of prepositions in each sub-corpus ............................................................................... 107
Table 5. 2 Comparison of the corpus' results to the BNC ................................................................................. 108
Table 5. 3 Three-word prepositions in the four sub-corpora ........................................................................... 113
Table 5. 4 Phrasal versus clausal complements in the Medical and Social Sciences ......................................... 118
Table 5. 5 Clausal complements in the sample ............................................................................................... 120
Table 5. 6 Clausal complements across the sections ....................................................................................... 122
Table 5. 7 Prepositional complements classified by discipline and genre......................................................... 125
Table 5. 8 Distribution of prepositions by function ......................................................................................... 132
Table 5. 9 Appositive versus relative postmodification ................................................................................... 134
Table 5. 10 Complements versus adjuncts...................................................................................................... 136
Table 5. 11 PPs functioning as adverbials ...................................................................................................... 141
Table 5. 12 PPs functioning as adjuncts to the head ....................................................................................... 142
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Table 5. 13 Distribution of PPs headed by 'in' in the Medical and Social Sciences in the Results and Discussion
sections ........................................................................................................................................................ 143
Table 5. 14 PPs functioning as Complements ................................................................................................. 145
Table 5. 15 Distribution of PPs functioning as complements of verbs across the sections ................................ 146
Table 5. 16 Partitive constructions in the sample ........................................................................................... 149
Table 5. 17 Distribution of partitive constructions by section.......................................................................... 150

Table 6. 1Participants introduced by prepositions .......................................................................................... 158
Table 6. 2 The role of agentive across the four section ................................................................................... 159
Table 6. 3 Content and intensity adjuncts in the Social RAs and PhD theses .................................................... 165
Table 6. 4 Distribution of content and intensity adjuncts in the Results and Discussion ................................... 165
Table 6. 5 Textual adjuncts in the Medical and Social Sciences ....................................................................... 166
Table 6. 6 Experiential meanings in the Medical and Social scienes ................................................................ 170
Table 6. 7 Spatial and temporal PPs............................................................................................................... 171
Table 6. 8 Concrete and abstract spatial references ....................................................................................... 172
Table 6. 9 PPs expressing concrete and abstract places .................................................................................. 172
Table 6. 10 Extent and location ..................................................................................................................... 175
Table 6. 11 Definite and indefinite spatial and temporal locations ................................................................. 177
Table 6. 12 Rest and motion definite spatial and temporal locations .............................................................. 178
Table 6. 13 Prepositions expressing rest and motion ...................................................................................... 179
Table 6. 14 PPs expressing respect................................................................................................................. 183
Table 6. 15 Process PPs in the Medical and Social sciences ............................................................................. 187
Table 6. 16 Manner PPs in the Medical and Social Sciences ............................................................................ 187
Table 6. 17 Distribution of process PPs by genres and disciplines.................................................................... 189
Table 6. 18 Cause PPs in the Medical and Social Sciences ............................................................................... 191
Table 6. 19 Role PPs in the Medical and Social sciences.................................................................................. 193
Table 6. 20 Accompaniment PPs in the Medical and Social Sciences ............................................................... 195
Table 6. 21 Contingency PPs in the Medical and Social sciences ..................................................................... 198
Table 6. 22 Recurrent contingency and condition across the genres ............................................................... 198
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List of Figures
Figure 1. 1 Tree diagram: complements versus adjuncts (Carnie, 2008, p. 121) ................................................ 23
Figure 1. 2 Simple/complex prepositions .......................................................................................................... 29
Figure 1. 3 Structure of PPs ............................................................................................................................. 30
Figure 1. 4 Functions of PPs ............................................................................................................................. 31

Figure 2. 1 Word class recognized in a functional grammar of English (Halliday and Matthiessen, 2014, p. 75). 32
Figure 2. 2 Classification of prepositions expressing place ................................................................................ 37
Figure 2. 3 Classification of prepositions expressing time ................................................................................. 44
Figure 2. 4 Classification of adverbials from three perspectives ........................................................................ 48

Figure 3. 1 A text-driven procedure for genre analysis (Askehave and Swales, 2001) ........................................ 56
Figure 3. 2 Relations between context, semantics and lexicogrammar (Sellami-Baklouti, 2013, p. 222) ............ 57
Figure 3. 3 Structure of a traditional dissertation (Swales, 2004, p. 107) .......................................................... 61

Figure 4. 1 Windows 1 of AntConc ................................................................................................................... 88
Figure 4. 2 Window 2 AntConc ........................................................................................................................ 89
Figure 4. 3 Window 1 CorpusTool .................................................................................................................... 90
Figure 4. 4 Window 2 CorpusTool .................................................................................................................... 90
Figure 4. 5 Window 3 CorpusTool .................................................................................................................... 91
Figure 4. 6 Window 4 CorpusTool .................................................................................................................... 91
Figure 4. 7 Window 5 CorpusTool .................................................................................................................... 92
Figure 4. 8 Window 6 CorpusTool .................................................................................................................... 92
Figure 4. 9 System for semantic annotation ..................................................................................................... 93
Figure 4. 10 System for the interpersonal and textual meanings ...................................................................... 93
Figure 4. 11 System for experiential meanings ................................................................................................. 94
Figure 4. 12 Window 7 CorpusTool .................................................................................................................. 99
Figure 4. 13 Most frequent prepositions in the corpus .................................................................................... 103

Figure 5. 1 Distribution of prepositions across the sub-corpora ...................................................................... 109
Figure 5. 2 Simple versus complex prepositions .............................................................................................. 110
Figure 5. 3 Distribution of three-word prepositions across the sections .......................................................... 116
Figure 5. 4 Prepositional complements .......................................................................................................... 118
Figure 5. 5 Functions of PPs ........................................................................................................................... 132

Figure 6. 1 Semantic classification of PPs ....................................................................................................... 154
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Figure 6. 2 Metafunctional meanings ............................................................................................................ 161
Figure 6. 3 Experiential meanings .................................................................................................................. 170
Figure 6. 4 Prepositions expressing matter .................................................................................................... 184
Figure 6. 5 Distribution of process PPs by section ........................................................................................... 190
Figure 6. 6 Cause and process PPs across the sections .................................................................................... 193
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Table of Contents
ABSTRACT............................................................................................................................................
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................................................... II
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................................................ III
LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................................... V
LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................................. VII
TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................ IX
GENERAL INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 1
0.1. Background to the Study ...................................................................................................... 1
0.2. Statement of the Problem .................................................................................................... 2
0.3. Research Objectives ............................................................................................................. 3
0.4. Research Questions.............................................................................................................. 3
0.5. Major Claim ......................................................................................................................... 4
0.6. Structure of the Thesis ......................................................................................................... 4
PART ONE: LITERATURE REVIEW ......................................................................................................... 7
CHAPTER ONE: SYNTACTIC APPROACH ...................................................................................................... 8
1.1. Defining Prepositional Phrases ............................................................................................. 8
1.2. Simple/Complex Prepositions ............................................................................................... 9
1.2.1. Simple Prepositions ..................................................................................................................... 9
1.2.2. Complex Prepositions ................................................................................................................ 10
1.2.3. Grammaticalization ................................................................................................................... 11
1.3. Structure of a Prepositional Phrase .................................................................................... 13
1.3.1. Prepositional Complements ....................................................................................................... 13
1.3.1.1. Noun Phrases .................................................................................................................... 15
1.3.1.2. Wh-Clauses ....................................................................................................................... 16
1.3.1.3. Ing Clauses ........................................................................................................................ 17
1.3.1.4. Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 19
1.3.2. Premodifiers ............................................................................................................................. 20
1.4. Syntactic Functions ............................................................................................................ 21
1.4.1. Postmodifier ............................................................................................................................. 21
1.4.2. Adverbial .................................................................................................................................. 24
1.4.2.1. Structural Perspective ....................................................................................................... 25
1.4.2.2. Functional Perspective....................................................................................................... 26
1.4.2.3. Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 27
1.4.3. Complement ............................................................................................................................. 28
1.4.4. Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 29
1.5. Concluding Remarks .......................................................................................................... 29
CHAPTER TWO: SEMANTIC APPROACH .................................................................................................... 32