The essential conditions for theoretical construction:A review of"paratactic grammar"
This paper discusses the important concepts of"parataxis"and"paratactic grammar."A comprehensive literature review and analysis of diverse language samples revealed that parataxis as a grammatical device is not exclusive to Chinese.The phenomenon of combining clauses or structuring sentences without formal markers is observed in many languages worldwide.This observation poses challenges to proponents of"paratactic grammar."Based on the fundamental conditions necessary for developing a robust scientific theory,this paper points out that advocates of"paratactic grammar"have two key responsibilities:1)If parataxis is claimed to be unique to Chinese,the advocates must provide substantiating evidence;and 2)if parataxis is a common feature across various languages,they must offer a descriptive methodology and explanatory framework for the theory of"paratactic grammar,"establishing a universally significant theoretical system.Only by meeting these criteria can a scientific theory of"paratactic grammar"be genuinely established.
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