Article Review~
Etika Suzerein
16320009 (Ek)
16320009 (Ek)
Article reviewed:
Buzarovska, Eleni, “Equality versus Similarity Constructions in
English”, Cyrillus & Methodius University of Skopje, Republic of Macedonia,
2005, Vol. 4, ISSN 1475-8989.
The article, “Equality versus Similarity Constructions in English”,
by Eleni Buzarovska focuses on the analysis of equality comparative
constructions in English with reference to the study of comparison in The
Cambridge Grammar of the English Language (Huddleston et al. 2002), where a
distinction is made between scalar and non-scalar comparison.
It is clear from the abstract that it is not a simple issue. In
fact, the article is fairly confusing for the couple paragraphs. The author
proposes a unitary analysis of scalar and non-scalar equality comparisons and interprets
the relationships between equality and similarity. The paper also aims to
clarify the nature of the mutual relations between as- and -like constructions
that has
function as predicative and manner complements, and explain the competition of
as and like in manner complements.
On Huddleston et al.'s (2002: 1099f) stated that “study
of comparison which classifies comparative constructions along two intersecting
dimensions of contrast: scalarity vs non-scalarity and equality vs inequality. Scalar
comparison involves grading, while non-scalar comparison is concerned with
identity and likeness”. But as Huddleston et al. (2002: 1100) pointed out
"there are grounds for recognising a single contrast applying to scalar and
non-scalar comparison alike: as is the main marker of equality comparison,
whether scalar or non-scalar". Furthermore, they note that “non-scalar
equality can be interpreted as similarity or resemblance”
(Huddleston et al 2002: 1140, 1154).
The
paper offers a unified analysis of scalar and non-scalar using the concept of equivalence;
equality and similarity. The difference between these two concepts depends on
the presence of a quantifying or non-quantifying identity operator in the
semantic representation of comparative as- and like-clauses.
There is a relation equivalence in
participant and event comparison.
1.
Participant comparison
(1) He runs fast, she runs fast. Two clauses are linked by co-ordination.
Two types of participant equality can
be produced by scalar equality(2) and non-scalar similarity(3).
(2) He runs as fast as she does. It shows that the speed of running can
be measured.
(3) He runs _ like her.
2.
Event comparison
It can be realised as sequence of symmetrical simple clause (a) and complex
and simple clause (b).
a.
Conjoining two symmetrical simple clause. This results in non-scalar
comparison of identity of predication with both activity (4) and state (5).
(4) He runs fast, as she does _ . He runs fast, like her.
(5) He is tall, as/like she is. He is tall, like her
b.
Conjoining a simple clause and a complex. After clause reduction of (12),
the comparative clause is formalised as an adjunct of comparison in (13).
(12) He runs fast. I told him to run fast.
(12) He runs fast. I told him to run fast.
(13) He runs fast, as/like I told him _.
(14) He runs _ as/like I told him _.
Taking the standard of comparison as
a classification parameter, three types of comparison can be distinguished: state
(15), manner (16), and similarity manner comparison (17).
(15) He is as tall as she is. It illustrates comparison between two
states in the same degree. Its derivation from two clauses; He is tall. She
is tall. Because of the same degree, it can be compared as
equality/similarity.
(16) He runs as fast as I do. It illustrates comparison between two
dynamic predicate. Its derivation from two clauses, also. He runs fast. I
run fast.
(17) He runs as/like I told him.
Depending on the degree of identity of the common property in two compared terms, the equivalence relation can be identified as equality, identity, and similarity comparison.
Depending on the degree of identity of the common property in two compared terms, the equivalence relation can be identified as equality, identity, and similarity comparison.
§
The discussion on the distribution of as and like is based on the
assumption that equality as-constructions in (18) and (19) are related to the
similarity like-construction in (20) and (21).
(18) He is as tall as she is.
(19) He runs as fast as I do.
(20) He is tall like her.
(21) He runs (fast) like me.
Both ‘like’ and ‘as’ are used to state comparisons. For example:
Both ‘like’ and ‘as’ are used to state comparisons. For example:
–
Amy takes care of the children in the day care like a mother.
–
Amy takes care of the children in the day care as a mother does.
Both sentences are correct. Both the sentences above convey the
meaning that Amy takes care of the children “in the same way” as a mother takes
care of her children.
Apart from stating comparison, “as” can also be used to state “role” or “function”. For example: John has joined the organization as a researcher.
Apart from stating comparison, “as” can also be used to state “role” or “function”. For example: John has joined the organization as a researcher.
In this sentence, ‘as’ does not show a comparison. This sentence
implies that John is indeed a researcher in the new organization. Notice that
per this sentence John has not been compared to a researcher. John is indeed a
researcher. So his role has been presented. And hence ‘as’ is used to present
role or function of a person.
Overall,
the abstract of the paper is already good because the author can describe about
the topic which is being discussed. Also, the author gives the examples for
each point. Yet, the author should make a clearer explanation by using not-new
terms in order to make it understood easily. Furthermore, the paper slightly
has some not-understandable embellishments so it is really needed to read over
many times just to make sure about the meaning. This paper is not really very
straightforward to understand in the beginning
and it is not until the second page which the reader realize where the
article is headed from. In order to have more people get engaged and read the
whole article, it needs a new more concise introduction.
Reference:
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