A Comparative Study of Syntactic Structure Between English and Burmese Languages

Abstract

This article aimed to study a comparative study of syntactic structure between English and Burmese languages. The objectives of the study were 1) to study the syntactic structure in English; 2) to study the syntactic structure in Burmese; and 3) to compare the syntactic structure in English and Burmese Languages. This study was a documentary as well as qualitative research in nature studying and comparing syntactic structures in English and Burmese languages. As a documentary and qualitative research, the research methods would be used from collecting data. The collected data which would be analyzed and categorized from the primary sources of books published and unpublished, thesis, and secondary sources of the articles, journals and online sources.

The results of the study were as follows:

A comparative study of syntactic structures in English and Burmese languages showed that the results of the studies illustrate the structure of sentences by using a syntactic approach. And they were mentioned to clearly comprehend about the study of syntactic structures by portraying tables and the tree diagrams for those who learn English and Burmese languages in comparison. As for the structure of the sentence in English contained in this thesis was divided into four sentences, namely (1) simple sentences, a simple sentence consists of a single independent clause with no dependent clause. (2) Compound sentences, a compound sentence consists of multiple independent clauses with no dependent clauses. These clauses are joined together by using coordinating conjunctions; for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so, punctuation or both. (3) Complex sentences, a complex sentence consists of one or more independent clause with at least one dependent clause. A dependent clause starts with a subordinating conjunction. Examples: that, because, although, where, since, as, if, as long as. And (4) Compound-complex sentences, compound-complex sentence consists of multiple independent clauses, at least one of which has at least one dependent clause.

The structure of the sentence in Burmese contained in this thesis was divided into two sentences, namely (1) simple sentences, a simple sentence consists of only one clause which is called independent or main clause. This independent syntactic entity intends to convey a complete thought or meanings of an idea. Complex sentences contained an independent clause and at least one de-pendent clause. An independent clause had the ability to stand alone as sentence which always makes a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot stand alone even though it had a subject and a verb. Especially, the dependent clauses have postpositional makers, particles and conjunctions to join two or more sentences. Example: /ði, ko, θɔ, ló, mɛ, a khā, ka, hu, θɔ kyauǹ, θō lɛ́/ etc.

The results of the studies about syntactic structures showed similarities and differences in both languages. It was designed not only for foreign learners who wish to learn Burmese language but for those who want to improve their capabilities in English.