How English Differs from Russian in Its Topic

Sarage, Japen (2012) How English Differs from Russian in Its Topic. In: The Ninth Conference of English Studies, 29-30 Nopember 2012, Universitas Atmajaya Jakarta.

[thumbnail of Topics in sentences ] PDF (Topics in sentences )
Proceedings_ATMAJAYA.pdf

Download (1MB)

Abstract

Abstract
A topic determines the way a noun functions as a subject of a sentence. The sentence:
She has a leather bag. differs from A leather bag belongs to her. The two sentences have different subjects but they have the same notion. The real difference is their topics. The topic of the first sentence is the owner while the second is the thing owned. A possible construction of a derived sentence for the above sentences is A leather bag is with her.
This less acceptable sentence than the earlier is still grammatical and understandable but it brings a new notion. It is not clear whether the bag belongs to her or not. Another derived sentence A leather bag is hers, truly shows the same notion as the first sentence but it not acceptable because the subject needs a definite article.
In Russian: Мне нужно книга. /Mnje nuzna kniga/ (Lit. A book is necessary for me./can be translated into A book is necessary for me or exactly I need a book.) the word a book takes the subject. In such a sentence the person rarely takes the subject of the sentence as found in English. The same case happens in the sentence: /Umnja kniga./
(Lit. A book is with me. which is translated into I have a book.) It seems that Russian shows an indirect ways of conduct, which are very common practice in non-western world.
-, v This paper tries to exhibit the different topics of English from Russian. It tries to find which English sentence patterns differ from those of Russian.

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Keyword: Topicalization, subject, sentence pattern, core sentence, derived sentence.
Subjects: P Language and Literature > P Philology. Linguistics
Divisi / Prodi: Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan) > S1-English Education (S1-Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris)
Depositing User: Drs. M.A. Japen Sarage
Date Deposited: 12 Aug 2015 01:14
Last Modified: 12 Aug 2015 01:14
URI: http://eprints.uad.ac.id/id/eprint/2401

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item