clause complex (maira, sofia, mercedes)

Clause complexClause complex is the term systemicists use for the grammatical and semantic unit formed when two or more clauses are linked together in certain systematic meaningful ways.

•Provide language users with structural resources to construe logical connections between experiential events.• Works alongside the experiential structure of Transitivity. •Together, the logical and the experiential functions allow us to express ideational meanings as we turn life into text.

•A multivariate structure is one where we can identify a complete whole which is made up of functionally distinct constituents. Both Mood and Transitivity structures are multivariate, as are most generic structures.•In a univariate structure, we are dealing with a relationship between elements that are essentially the same and which can be chained together indefinitely. Univariate structures are defined as iterative, recursive structure.

There are two systems involved in the formation of clause complexes:The tactic system: this is the system that describes the type of interdependency relationship between linked into a clause complex. parataxis (where clauses are related as equal, independent entities) and hypotaxis (where clauses relate to a main clause through a dependency relationship).

The logico-semantic system: this is the system that describes the specific type of meaning relationship between linked clauses. projection (where one clause is quoted or reported by another clause), or through expansion (where one clause develops or extends on the meaning of another).

Projection offers two choices: “locution” (where what is projected is speech) and idea (where what is projected is thoughts). Expansion consists of three options: “elaboration” (relations of restatement or equivalence), “extension” (relations of addition) and “enhancement” (option of development).

The system of taxis captures the dependency, or independency, relationship between adjacent clauses. There are two options: parataxis (a relationship between equals clause) and hypotaxis (a relationship between a dependent and its Head).ParataxisIn parataxis, clauses relate to each other as equals. They are independents.

HypotaxisIn hypotaxis, clauses relate to each other in a modifying or dependency relationship. There is one clause (the Head clause) which could be stand alone as a sentence and the other clause (the modifying or dependent clause) could not stand alone as a sentence.

Logico-semantic system: projection vs. expansion

The system of logico-semantic relations describes the semantic relations, the ways in which clauses that are either independent or dependent build on the experiential meaning of the clause they are relate to.This system offers a choice between projection and expansion.

Projection is the logico-semantics of quoting and reporting speech or thoughts, while expansion is the logical-semantics of developing on previous meaning.Projection

The system of projection involves the attribution of either locutions (what someone said) or ideas (what someone thought).

Projection of locutions:Paratactic projection of locutions is common in fictional narratives, where characters must usually engage in dialogue with each other.In hypotactic locution, what someone thought or said is re-package into an indirect form. This is the indirect speech of traditional grammar, but must also include indirect thought.

Projection of ideasIn projections of ideas, the projecting clause is typically a mental process. ExpansionThe system of expansion allows us to develop on the experiential meaning of a clause in three main ways: through elaboration, extension or enhancement of its meanings.

Elaboration is a relationship of restatement.Extension is a relationship of addition or variation.Enhancement is everything else (relations of time, space, cause, condition).

Mercedes Gonzalez Pascal, Sofía Martins and Maira Dominguez Sala