Verbs as central elements in role and reference grammar and dependency grammar and valency theories

Abstract

Purpose: The study takes into consideration the role a verb plays in the English language, how it has been described by the traditional  grammar approach, the deficiencies in their definitions, and a critical look at how verbs play the central roles in two grammatical  theories: Role and Reference Grammar as well as Dependency Grammar and Valency.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The study used the review approach to analyse texts based on examples. It relies on a thorough  examination of existing literature on the topic. Content analysis was adopted to analyse the study.

Findings: From the analysis used in the study, it was established that verbs were seen in both theories to be at the heart of meaning.  

Research Limitation: The study discusses the research limitations of both theories, including issues related to cross-linguistic differences  and the difficulty of accounting for idiosyncratic uses of verbs.

Practical Implication: The practical implications of these  theories are explored, such as their usefulness in language teaching and the development of natural language processing systems.

Social Implication: The social implications of these theories are also considered, including the potential for these theories to contribute  to a better understanding of language diversity and promote linguistic equality.

Originality/Value: The study contributes to a deeper  understanding of these theoretical frameworks and their potential to enhance language research, teaching, and societal understanding