This document discusses common grammar fallacies, or false ideas about linguistic rules. It defines grammar fallacies and examines four specific examples: the idea that some languages have no grammar; that simplicity or complexity determines a grammar; that grammars should be logical and analogical; and that spoken and written language grammars are equivalent. While languages have differing levels of complexity, all languages have underlying rule systems or grammars that govern their structure and use. Grammars also naturally contain some irregularities that arise over time.

1. Nurul Syazlin bt Anuar
Nur Amirah bt Hazalan Haffiz
LET 104
GRAMMAR FALLACIES

2. What is “grammar fallacies”?
 Definition:
 Denham and Lobeck (2010), grammar is defined as
“a complex system of rules that governs how
speakers organize sounds into words and words
into sentences.
 In Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, fallacy is
defined as “a false idea that many people believe is
true.”
 Thus, “grammar fallacies” can be defined as “the
false idea about linguistic rule system”

3. Grammar fallacies
1. There are languages that have “ no”
grammar or “little” grammar.
 Grammar is considered as linguistic rule system
that governs how a language operate.
 Thus, every language has grammar – equally
operative.
 There is no language that have “no” grammar if
grammar is considered as the rule on how a
language operates.

4. 2. Simplicity and complexity of grammar
Simple grammar Complex grammar
Mandarin (Chinese)
- No inflections of verbs, nouns,
pronouns or adjectives within the
word itself. Same character for me, I
and mine.
- Chinese grammar is extremely
regular, almost entirely free of
exceptions/artifacts.
- Lack of foreign grammar
American Indian languages
( extreme)
Greek, Latin, Sanskrit Earliest form of the Indo-European
languages, which has been
reconstructed, probably had a more
elaborate inflectional system than
classical languages such as Greek,
Latin, and Sanskrit

5. 3. Grammars should be logical and “analogical”
 There were several attempts to eradicate illogical
features of English grammar.
 Example : double negatives: “I don’t want none” =
“I do want some”
 Over time, certain irregularities smoothed out.
 Example: bóc (book)/ béc (books)  book / books
 However, there are some irregularities have been
retained
 Example: ox /oxen, mouse/mice

6.  In pronunciation, irregular forms are introduced as
Middle English emerged during 14th century.
 Example: five/fifteen
 Thus, no regular and perfect language exists.

7. 4) Equating the grammar of the spoken
language with the written language
Spoken language Written language
1) More fragmented with phrases or
clauses that “ strung together
with conjunctions.
1) More embedded
• Has oppositive or dependent
clause.
• Independent clause usually at 2nd
position.
2) Typically more disfluent
• Repetitions
• Conversation fillers ( erm,yeah.I
know)
3) Abandoned though units

8. References
 https://www.quora.com/Which-language-has-the-
easiest-grammar
 http://www.grammarmudge.cityslide.com/articles/
article/426348/2731.htm
 Denham, K. & Lobeck, A. (2010). Linguistics for
Everyone : An Introduction. Cengage Learning:
Wadsworth.