GRAMMATICAL MECHANISMS OF SEMANTIC REDUNDANCY AND THEIR ROLE IN SPEECH COMPREHENSION
Keywords:
semantic redundancy, grammatical means, subject-verb agreement, gender matching, tense markers, communication safety net.Abstract
This paper examines how human languages use grammar to repeat information, a phenomenon known as semantic redundancy. It focuses on three main grammatical mechanisms: subject-verb agreement (like using plural markers on both the noun and the verb), grammatical gender matching, and the simultaneous use of tense markers with time adverbs. The paper draws on existing research in structural linguistics and cognitive communication to analyze why languages repeat information that is already clear. The findings suggest that grammatical redundancy is not a mistake or a waste of space; instead, it acts as a safety net that helps prevent communication failures, especially in noisy environments or during fast conversations. These mechanisms make language easier to understand and process for both native speakers and language learners.
References
Corbett, G. G. (2006). Agreement. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511607318
Givón, T. (2001). Syntax: An introduction (Vol. 1). John Benjamins Publishing Company.
Hockett, C. F. (1960). The origin of speech. Scientific American, 203(3), 88–97. Shannon, C. E. (1948). A mathematical theory of communication. Bell System Technical Journal, 27(3), 379–423. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1538-7305.1948.tb01338.x
Pinker, S. (1994). The Language Instinct. William Morrow and Company.
Lyons, J. (1968). Introduction to theoretical linguistics. Cambridge University Press.
