Structure preservation principle
Encyclopedia
The Structure Preservation Principle is a stipulation proposed by Noam Chomsky
as part of the Generative-Transformational Grammar
. Under the Structure Preservation Principle, Deep Structures
should be preserved by a movement transformation, which simply rephrases the sentence.
The following is an example of this Principle:
can be transformed into:
and this Principle is fulfilled.
Both sentences hold the same meaning, because their Deep Structure remains equal. Only their Surface Structure changes, this is, just the arrangement of the words changes. Of course, auxiliary words like by are needed for the rearrangement to work.
Noam Chomsky
Avram Noam Chomsky is an American linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, and activist. He is an Institute Professor and Professor in the Department of Linguistics & Philosophy at MIT, where he has worked for over 50 years. Chomsky has been described as the "father of modern linguistics" and...
as part of the Generative-Transformational Grammar
Generative grammar
In theoretical linguistics, generative grammar refers to a particular approach to the study of syntax. A generative grammar of a language attempts to give a set of rules that will correctly predict which combinations of words will form grammatical sentences...
. Under the Structure Preservation Principle, Deep Structures
Deep structure
In linguistics, specifically in the study of syntax in the tradition of generative grammar , the deep structure of a linguistic expression is a theoretical construct that seeks to unify several related structures. For example, the sentences "Pat loves Chris" and "Chris is loved by Pat" mean...
should be preserved by a movement transformation, which simply rephrases the sentence.
The following is an example of this Principle:
- Fabio strangled Prince Jamal.
can be transformed into:
- Prince Jamal was strangled by Fabio.
and this Principle is fulfilled.
Both sentences hold the same meaning, because their Deep Structure remains equal. Only their Surface Structure changes, this is, just the arrangement of the words changes. Of course, auxiliary words like by are needed for the rearrangement to work.