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There is a difference between the learners of English as the first language and
those learning English as a second or foreign language. The difference has mainly to do
with grammar. Even though the native speakers of English may not have any formal
knowledge of their language, they have little difficulty in communicating with others.
This is very much true even for the illiterate population. When the educated
English speakers have to communicate in formal contexts, a high level of grammatical
accuracy is expected. As native speakers, educated English people somehow manage
their communication. The problem of English grammar for nonnative speakers of English
is different but critical in today's context, where the population of nonnative speakers
is higher than that of the native speakers. Therefore, it is necessary to re-look at the
basics of English grammar.
The subject of English grammar has remained the same for long. The
traditional approach to grammar is the foundation on which other approaches have been
developed - structural grammar, functional grammar, phrase grammar, transformational
generative grammar, case grammar, and others have contributed to further understanding of
grammar in different ways. However, no approach believes that there is no need for grammar
in order to communicate well. Perhaps the strong version of communicative approach
to language teaching may have stressed the importance of communication more
than grammar. In course of time, however, it has come to be recognized that accuracy
in grammar is essential for effective communication.
A grammar codifies the rules derived from the use of a language in a particular
social context. British and foreign grammarians have defined English grammar and
some of them have depended on Latin for the basic constituents whose number
and characteristics might vary from grammarian to grammarian. Their differences
are immaterial for nonnative speakers. What is important is the basic principles and practices. |
