The notion of clause in Vietnamese: A systemic functional perspective

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the notion of the clause - arguably, one of the
most important grammatical categories in the grammar of not only Vietnamese but
any language. What is a clause and why is it considered important? In an attempt to answer this question. I propose first to discuss the centrality of the category
‘clause’ in general lexicogrammatical description. The arguments here will be
supported by considering the concept in the grammar of English. The reason for
adopting this strategy is that English is the language which has been the most
extensively described in the systemic functional model. Having established, in
general terms, the centrality of the category clause and having suggested the
criteria relevant to its definition and recognition, I will then turn to the notion
of clause in the grammar of Vietnamese. Two questions raised for exploration are:
“Is clause needed as a descriptive category in Vietnamese grammar?” I f so, “How is it to be recognized?” I shall argue that, like English, the Vietnamese clause can be
defined and recognized along three dimensions: stratification, rank, and
metafunction (cf. Matthiessen 1995). Details of this argument will be addressed
throughout the paper.