For those of us that are capable of reading and writing there are many reasons why we might enjoy doing it. For example, the sense of connection and belonging we get from exploring and sharing ideas with others based around the things we are interested in. It might be when we use it to improve the things we are passionate about; resulting in a sense of growth. Reading and writing can also be a vessel for escapism that allows us to feel good as we separate ourselves from our problems for a while. But there are some very important deeper reasons why anyone loves and/or hates to read and write, and one reason is syntax.
In language, syntax is the study of how words are used together to make phrases and sentences. It is also the structure of statements in computer language. So, whether it’s within linguistics, or computing, syntax is about the order of language. This is why it is such an important part of communication.
When you think about where syntax exists it is practically everywhere; because it is to do with order, structure, and sequence. You could even apply the concepts of syntax to other things outside of language and use it to explore the structure of things like relationships, cities, or recipes. The list goes on. But from a more typical perspective, as well as things like stories, lyrics, and poems, syntax is present in the language used with one’s self, between people, between person(s) and machine(s), or between one or more machines. There are so many situations and elements to consider when it comes to studying syntax. As we start to acknowledge all of these scenarios we can easily begin to see from a practical level why people love and hate reading and writing.
There’s clearly a lot to take in.
We can also begin to see why things do or do not work from a communicative perspective. If the order in which things are presented isn’t appropriate, we may not get the results that we want. For example, syntax also plays a huge part in emphasising the points that someone is making as well as helping make things easier to understand.
Sentence structure and the order of sentences
In short, syntax is to do with looking at the types of words that a language uses and in what order. Think about pronouns, nouns, adjectives, and verbs for example. Each language has a series of recognisable word patterns that help sentences establish more complex meanings. These can then be arranged into larger texts to create paragraphs, chapters, books, and so on to articulate and express all sorts of things.
To go against these rules and conventions starts to make any communication harder to understand. However, it doesn’t mean that people can’t be understood. It just means that our ability to read, process, and understand what someone is trying to express needs to become more agile.
Take Yoda from Star Wars for example. Yoda is a great ambassador for speaking in a different sentence structure to what many English speakers would consider to be ‘right’ or ‘normal’. You will even find people using different syntax depending upon where you are in a country. Even people that supposedly ‘speak the same language’ don’t always understand each other because people often structure sentences based on where they are from or simply in a way that works for them.
Subject-Verb-Object
Perhaps, the easiest example to look at syntax is the SVO structure, also known as Subject-Verb-Object. This is a way of breaking down a sentence into parts to establish what the focal points of a sentence are and it what order. This is particularly apparent for English speakers. For example, a frequently used and easily understood expression could be something like, “I walked to the shops.”
Subject = I
Verb = Walk(ed)
Object = Shops
SVO isn’t the only syntax structure that is used throughout language. Each language will have it’s own typically used syntax. If you consider the different ways that these parts can be arranged you will find there are several other combinations of order. SOV, VSO, VOS,OVS, and OSV. And yes, there are languages in the world that use these sentence structures.
Prescriptivism, Descriptivism, Ambiscriptivism
Before delving into syntax any further it’s worth acknowledging prescriptivism, descriptivism, and ambiscriptivism. These terms can help us understand the different ways that people can use language.
The truth is there is no ‘wrong way’ to express yourself. There is however the more general idea of a ‘right way’ to express yourself. Think about it, if you were the only person on the planet who is to say what is the ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to express yourself?
The reason the ‘right way’ to express yourself exists is because of bias and collectives of people establishing over time that a particular way of communication is the ‘right way’. So, whilst there is a degree of science to communicating, there is most definitely a sense of art to it as well. All that said, it is important to have this ‘right way’ because it gives everyone a foundation to work from. Like a template. It gives us all a chance to be understood.
Ultimately however, when it comes to communication, if you can get your point across and achieve a desired outcome in an appropriate and respectful way then you are a good communicator.
Really the ‘right way’ is just a guide. It’s not THE LAW.
Read more about Prescriptivism, Descriptivism, Ambiscriptivism here.
Syntax etymology
Whenever you are exploring language, or any subject for that matter, a useful place to look that will improve our understanding is the etymology of the words being used to discuss it.
Etymology is the study of the ‘truth of words’; their meanings and their origins.
Syntax is made up of two main parts, syn- and -tax.
It comes from the Latin and Greek syntaxis.
Syn-, you might recognise from other words, basically means ‘together’. Think synchronise, synergy, syndicate.
-tax is a form of the word tactics. Think how sports teams might organise themselves.
So, as after looking at the deeper meaning of the parts of the word we can combine them. Here we can see some logic as to how the word syntax means ‘how things are organised together’. Because it literally is made up of parts that mean that.
Syntax in computers and computer programming
In computer programming syntax is used just like any typically recognised language. It is constructed to help things communicate with one another; be it different parts of a piece of computer software and/or different parts of hardware.
Computer programming syntax might not read quite the same as you would expect a language too. But carefully constructed parts create meaning and instruction, just like in a language used by people.
In some ways it is recognised that the human brain is very much like a computer. A very power one. Which, just like a computer, when programmed is capable of storing huge amounts of knowledge, and performing a wide range of skills.
Humans, Computers, and Inner Voice
The relationships between humans, between computers, between humans and computers are incredible. Syntax plays a huge part in all of this. Computers essentially work because humans make and programme them. Humans work because of how their inner voice operates. Syntax forms part of the inner voice of a human.
Depending on what you need and believe, this inner voice can be influenced by a whole range of things; friends, family, idols, music, tv shows, films, stories, religion.
Your internal structure of language can portray and display meaning which can influence perception and bias and in turn produce action or in-action. Think about the things that spring to mind when you encounter something. What are you instincts? How do you perform tasks? How do you respond when faced with certain situations? There is syntax at play here.
Whether consciously or subconsciously our mindsets are programmed. But they can be re-programmed. Whatever relationship you have with your own mind syntax is playing a part on how you, or it, shapes your existence and future. This how powerful it is.
If you or someone around you isn’t get the desired results, it’s worth exploring the syntax of how you are perceiving a situation.
How having a better understanding of syntax can improve things
Now that we have a slightly deeper understanding of syntax and what it is there are a whole range of areas where you can start to improve the way things are.
If we are communicating with children it might be that we make sure we structure our sentences in way that better gives them a chance to understand. Look at the order which information is being presented.
As a teacher, trainer, or manager we might highlight and emphasise the key points we are trying to make by putting them at the start of our sentences.
If we are designers or marketers the way that we present information to our audience and consumers can be done in such a way to make it more captivating and engaging.
We could even potentially improve our relationships with friends, family, and neighbours by making a better effort to express ourselves in such a way that means people.
As writers, performers, and artists we might use syntax to create dramatic effect to evoke a emotional response linked to fear, love, pain, or excitement.
At the end of the day it is about having more care for the things we express and how we express them. Because when we start to do that we can start to achieve different results.
How to use syntax to love reading and writing
Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind here is that unless we are trying to achieve a particular qualification it really doesn’t matter that much how someone communicates. People are free to construct their sentences, talk, and write however they wish. You don’t need to give them a hard time for ‘not communicating properly’.
It’s really important to keep that in mind if you are teaching or supporting someone who is trying to gain a language qualification or just simply learn. Because all that qualification demonstrates is their ability to understand a particular set of rules. And if someone is just trying to learn, then just remember that for some people it can be really tormenting and hard.
I encourage you to revisit the concepts of prescriptivism, descriptivism, and ambiscriptivism.
Read more about Prescriptivism, Descriptivism, Ambiscriptivism here.
If you really want to help someone develop their language skills and understanding of syntax then get them to do some fun stuff with language. About stuff they are actually interested in. Read and write jokes, write stories, write scripts, recipes, songs, and poems. Don’t force them to just write long boring essays about stuff that they don’t find interesting and engaging. It will likely just demoralise them and make them loath and hate something they are already struggling with even more. Provide some variety.
And explore syntax. Explore how mad and different things sound if we construct them in a different order. But also explore how we can sometimes still be easily understood. Maybe things aren’t that mad after all? Explore how we can communicate with more or less efficiency if we structure our sentences differently. Explore how other languages use different syntax. It could be that someone who is trying to learn a particular language actually has a more natural affinity with a totally different language.
And above all, just remember what Yoda says*,
“With you the Force may be.”
*(After reading this article).
