Scale-and-Category analysis of Old English verbal groups

The linguistic approach to historical grammar. Most published material on the subject of historical dialects of English takes little interest in syntax. In recent decades, however, a growing number of titles have attempted to approach the syntax of historical dialects from a structuralist viewpoint. Some of the best recent material uses a transformational model. It is the purpose of this paper to illustrate the application of the “Scale-and-Category” model to the Old English verbal group, and thereby to suggest the appropriateness of the Scale-and-Category model for a more complete synchronic description of Old English. The principles of Scale-and-Category grammar were published by Prof. M. A. K. Halliday in 1961. Since then a number of published works have described language on these principles, but the study to which this paper is most directly indebted is Prof. M. Gregory’s yet unpublished description of modern English.The principles of Scale-and-Category grammar were published by Prof. M. A. K. Halliday in 1961. Since then a number of published works have described language on these principles, but the study to which this paper is most directly indebted is Prof. M. Gregory’s yet unpublished description of modern English.