«Методическая разработка "Grammar mistakes in modern English songs"»
«Методическая разработка "Grammar mistakes in modern English songs"»
In my work I have come across common mistake occurrences such as improper use of the objective pronoun, double negative or incorrect verb conjugation. Each mistake occurrence is divided into its own subchapter, where I explain the grammar rules and I show grammatically incorrect cases on some examples of the song lyrics. I examine the song lyrics in search for grammar mistakes, then I explain the mistakes and I suggest suitable solution for some of them.
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4.10 WHO VS. THAT........................................................................14
In my work I have come across common mistake occurrences such as improper use of the objective pronoun, double negative or incorrect verb conjugation. Each mistake occurrence is divided into its own subchapter, where I explain the grammar rules and I show grammatically incorrect cases on some examples of the song lyrics. I examine the song lyrics in search for grammar mistakes, then I explain the mistakes and I suggest suitable solution for some of them.
INTRODUCTION
I analyze mistakes and explain the difference between them. It also exposes the reasons why there tend to be mistakes in song lyrics.
The main part of this thesis is a determination of goals and their achievement. For our main goals, we chose to find out whether students are able to detect a mistake in an extract.
Introduction
Every day I listen to music. I can’t imagine my life without it. It is impossible not to pay attention to all those songs with a catchy melody. I prefer songs of foreign singers and one day when I listened to the song “It don’t matter” by Alok, Sofi Tukker and Inna, I paid attention to the mistake, it was rather obvious. The mistake was in subject-verb agreement. So I decided to study language in other songs, find and analyze grammatical mistakes, define the reasons of them and describe the most typical and common grammatical mistakes in modern English songs. It is the aim of my research.
The object of the research is pop music.
The subject of the research is texts of modern English songs.
Theoretical value of this research is that this material helps us to learn some grammar structures and know more about reasons of mistakes.
The methods of the research are:
1. analyzing texts of songs
2. scan
3. comparing
4. testing
So, the aim defines next problems:
1. To study theoretical information;
2. To ask students of different age and define the role of songs in their lives
3. To find and analyze texts of modern English songs which have grammar mistakes
4. To expose the reasons of mistakes in song lyrics.
5. To summarize and systematize the information on the issue
6. To work out the presentation to this work.
The hypothesis of the research is to suppose that modern songs may be grammatically incorrect
First I decided to ask my classmates what music they listen. I asked 25 students. 72 per cent prefer listening foreign music and only 28 per cent of students listen to Russian songs. Also I realized what genres of music they prefer
MISTAKE CATEGORIES
2. 1. Appearances of mistakes
I have come across two different types of mistakes. The first one is with no stylistic benefit to the song and the second one is with the stylistic benefit, often used to make one-word rhyme with another. Sometimes the lyrics simply need to fit in the rhyme or melody, but they are often incorporated into the lyrics on purpose, to make it sound more natural or cool. We must consider the fact that in popular music grammar is not essential. People are aware of song lyrics and that they are not always grammatically correct. Sometimes what appears to be incorrect is in fact common in spoken language, since songwriters use English that is natural for them.
2. 2. Inappropriate pronoun use
Pronouns are words which stand for a noun, a whole noun phrase, or several noun phrases, or which refer directly to some aspect of the situation. Subject pronouns are used to substitute the subject of the verb. Object pronouns are used instead of nouns, usually in order to avoid repetition of nouns. It is very common to mix up the subjective pronoun “I” with its objective version “me”, especially in the phrases “you and I/me”.
Chaёl “Don’t speak” – “As we die, both you and I”
Bryan Adams, “Run to You” – “But that’d change if she ever found out about you and I.”
Lady Gaga, “You and I” – “You and I” (the title of the song)
Lady Gaga, “Bad Romance” – “You and me could write a bad romance.”
One Direction, “You and I” – “Nothing can come between you and I/”
2. 3. Improper use of the second conditional tense
The rule says that the past subjunctive should use the plural form of the verb “to be” in the singular usage as well. In the second conditional, when expressing hypotheses, wishes or conditions that are contrary to some other fact, the verb “be” needs to take the plural form “were” for every personal pronoun, yet in many songs, the first person singular pronoun “I” is followed by “was” instead of “were”.
Gwen Stefani, “Rich Girl” – “If I was a rich girl…”
Justin Bieber “Boyfriend” – ‘If I was your boyfriend, I’d treat you good’
* In this line, there is also a mistake in putting the adjective “good” in the place of the adverb “well”.
Sam Smith, “I’m Not the Only One” - ‘I wish this would be over now.’
Edward Maya, “Stereo love”, “If I was just another dusty record on the shelf.”
2.3. Irregular Verbs
In order to achieve a rhyme, lyrics sometimes contain a form of a verb which does not exist in grammatically correct English, often created by adding the regular verb past tense “–ed” suffix after a verb which already is in its past simple form or after a verb which should be in its irregular past tense form instead.
Justin Timberlake, “What Goes Around” – “When you cheated girl, my heart bleeded girl.” The word “bleed” is an irregular verb, and the past form is “bled.
2. 4. Subject-Verb Agreement
It is also one of the most common mistakes. The missing “-s” is a frequent phenomenon in songs, usually because of the number of syllables needed for a line. Other problems include using the plural form instead of the singular or omitting the subject – even if it is easy to identify from the context who the subject is, it should still be physically present in the sentence.
Fifth Harmony, “He Like That”, “He like that love, love, love.”
Justin Bieber, “Love Yourself”, “My mama don’t like you and she likes everyone.”
Timbaland, “The Way I Are”, “Can you handle me the way I are.”
MIKA, “Talk About You”, “Walk* through the city like stupid people do, A million faces, but all I’m seeing is you.”
*The subject is missing here.
Merk & Kremont “Sad Story (Out Of Luck)”, ‘Now he don’t talk too much, talk too much.”
2.5. Double Negatives
The term “double negatives” means two forms of negation in one sentence. Using two negatives is not rare in song lyrics. In some languages, double negatives are used for emphasis.
Bill Withers, “Ain’t No Sunshine.”
Justin Timberlake, “Can’t Stop the Feeling” , “And ain’t nobody leaving soon, so keep dancing
I don’t need no reason, don’t need control
Fergie “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody”
The Rolling Stones, “I Can’t Get No (Satisfaction)”
Pink Floyd, ‘Another Brick in the Wall”, “We don’t Need No Education”.
The use of informal speech
Shortenings of words are often used in songs. They are introduced by short forms of words, which appear in speech if we pronounce the words fluently. The examples are the followinnng:
ain't = am not/are not/is not
ain't = has not/have not
gimme = give me
gonna = going to
gotta = (have) got a
gotta = (have) got to
kinda — kind of
lemme = let me
wanna = want to
wanna = want a
whatcha = what are you
whatcha = what have you
ya = you
According to the Cambridge Guide to English Usage, ain’t is associated with informal, casual and dialectal speech and comes from spoken language as well as from written text. “Ain’t is a centuries-old contraction meaning am not, is not, are not, has not, or have not.
In music lyrics ain’t is very common and is not considered to be grammatically incorrect, but rather informal.
Alicia Keys “If I Ain’t Got You”
Clean Bandit, “Solo”, “As if you're gonna get away with this…”
Alok, “Don't Say Goodbye”, “Ain't going home tonight”
Rihanna & Will.i.am, “ Photographs”, “Here's a little story I've gotta tell”
Olivia Addams, “Stranger”, “I don't wanna leave my home”
Missing of endings in the words
Last sounds of some words are sometimes missed. It is common for informal speech. Apostrophe (') is used instead of missing letters in writing speech.
For example,
wit’–with
talkin’–talking
singin’–singing
Ed Sheeran “Bad Habits”, “Nothin' happens after two, it's true, it's true.”
1. First I decided to ask my classmates what music they listen. I asked 25 students. 72 per cent prefer listening foreign music and only 28 per cent of students listen to Russian songs. Also I realized what genres of music they prefer. 48 % listen to pop music, 36 % choose rock and 16 per cent are fond of listening to rap. 96 % of my classmates don’t pay attention to the mistakes in English songs and the rhythm is more important for 96%.
CONCLUSION
As I have stated large amount of the most successful songs worldwide contains some grammatical mistakes. The most common mistake is using of informal speech. Using these forms of words can change the rhythm pattern, these mistakes are beneficial to the song, they reduce the number of syllables. The second most common mistake is the double negative. This kind of mistake is the most controversial one because in many cases the authors used the double negative on purpose to support the negation. The third most frequent mistake is in the subject-verb agreement. This mistake can be beneficial in case the incorrect version increases or reduces the number of syllables.
1. First I decided to ask my classmates what music they listen. I asked 25 students. 72 per cent prefer listening foreign music and only 28 per cent of students listen to Russian songs. Also I realized what genres of music they prefer. 48 % listen to pop music, 36 % choose rock and 16 per cent are fond of listening to rap. 96 % of my classmates don’t pay attention to the mistakes in English songs and the rhythm is more important for 96%.
CONCLUSION
As I have stated large amount of the most successful songs worldwide contains some grammatical mistakes. The most common mistake is using of informal speech. Using these forms of words can change the rhythm pattern, these mistakes are beneficial to the song, they reduce the number of syllables. The second most common mistake is the double negative. This kind of mistake is the most controversial one because in many cases the authors used the double negative on purpose to support the negation. The third most frequent mistake is in the subject-verb agreement. This mistake can be beneficial in case the incorrect version increases or reduces the number of syllables.
1.5 How Incorrect Grammar in Song Lyrics Affects a Learner
Despite the fact that many song lyrics contain improper use of grammar, it does not necessarily need to have a negative impact on the learner. Just as everything does have its advantages and disadvantages, incorrect grammar in songs has them both as well.
There are a few positives about this whole problem. One of them is that when learners notice a mistake and remember its fallacy, they can later work with this information and useit for the accurate use of language. As a plus of using song lyrics with incorrect grammar asan educational tool, Voldanová (2017) sees the fact that when students or learners look for
the mistakes on their own, they need to put more effort and focus more while listening to English songs.
After stating the pros and cons of song lyrics with poor grammar, they may appear as a double-edged knife, which, in some way, they really are. Still, if used for studying purposes properly, they may help learners improve their language skills more than songs with the perfect use of grammar.
«Sad Story (Out Of Luck)»
[Merk & Kremont] A sad story, might find it boring Lost his mum to a drug named Heroin Father’s gone, so grandma’s left with everything Two grandkids and a daughter’s coffin I never really knew him when he was growing up But I assumed that it was a little fucked No parents for him to look up to Just a brother whom I knew was a dodgy fuck Shit, I used to think he was a dick Tried too hard to fit And never grow out of it
[Merk & Kremont] Now he don’t talk too much, talk too much He’s probably given up, given up I think he’s had enough, had enough Cause he ran out of luck, out of luck
[Merk & Kremont] Now he don’t talk too much, talk too much He’s probably given up, given up I think he’s had enough, had enough Cause he ran out of luck, out of luck
[Merk & Kremont] Never left his home town That’s what probably did it Never saw the other worlds That he didn’t want to go and get it Occupied by fitting in where minds A small west, small things Make the small things feel so tall Will he ever change? Well apparently He reapplied for college and was waiting for his grades It wouldn’t help his case Oh, I couldn’t ever say
[Merk & Kremont] Now he don’t talk too much, talk too much He’s probably given up, given up I think he’s had enough, had enough Cause he ran out of luck, out of luck
[Merk & Kremont] Now he don’t talk too much, talk too much He’s probably given up, given up I think he’s had enough, had enough Cause he ran out of luck, out of luck
[Merk & Kremont] But wait my life’s out, a night out Brothers in town, some doubt, a few fights Now kicked out clubs, shit the suns up One looks all it took for his girl to cuss at another Dudes being dudes They blow at the chest to impress these breasts That’d just started this mess They must protect the damsel in distress So other girl’s man decides to clench his fists And then he threw and missed Brother’s hit, as did his Dropped him quick, then one kick to the head Oh shit other man is dead
[Merk & Kremont] Now he don’t talk too much, talk too much He’s probably given up, given up I think he’s had enough, had enough Cause he ran out of luck, out of luck
[Merk & Kremont] Now he don’t talk too much, talk too much He’s probably given up, given up I think he’s had enough, had enough Cause he ran out of luck, out of luck
[Merk & Kremont] And now he’s locked away 21 years of age How many lives will go to waste? As far as graves Until I see some fucking change Oh, and I don’t even know how We continue to Fight one another now…
Сlean bandit solo
You speak to me And in your words I hear a melody But in the twilight it's so hard to see What's wrong for me
I can't resist Until you give the truth a little twist As if you're gonna get away with this You're not sorry
I can't believe I fell for this
I fell through the hole Down at the bottom of your soul Didn't think you could go So low Look at what you've done You're losing me Here's what you've won Got me planning to go Solo Solo
You sing to me Too bad you couldn't even stay on key If your life is such a mystery Why don't you just stick to acting?
Oh, here you go again (Go again) You couldn't find my number until when (Until when) You thought that you could get to my best friend Without a script your game is lacking
I can't believe I fell for this
I fell through the hole Down at the bottom of your soul Didn't think you could go So low Look at what you've done You're losing me Here's what you've won Got me planning to go Solo Solo
I'd rather go out to a party alone Than have to walk around with you on my arm Now that I'm proud to admit that we're done Good luck trying to find me, oh
'Cause I didn't think you could go So low Look at what you've done You're losing me Here's what you've won Got me planning to go Solo
Now we're done 'Cause you got me planning to go Solo Solo Solo Solo
Alok “Don't Say Goodbye”
I hate to love it Hate to love the way you keep me burning Burning for your touch but you don't give it Give it to me only when you need it I know you need it
But when you come my way When you come my way Put it all on me But you never see Ain't going home tonight (Ain't going home tonight) Unless you come with me Ooh na na, ooh na na Ooh na na, ooh na na Ooh na na, ooh na na
Don't say goodbye, bye, bye, bye, bye Stay one more night, night, night, night, night You make it right Don't say goodbye Don't say goodbye, bye, bye, bye Stay one more night, night, night, night, night You make it right Don't say goodbye
Love me wanting Something 'bout me craving gets you going A taste in every space that we're alone in Then tease me on the dancefloor till the morning Yeah, 'till the morning
But when you come my way When you come my way Put it all on me But you never see Ain't going home tonight (Ain't going home tonight) Unless you come with me Ooh na na, ooh na na
Don't say goodbye, bye, bye, bye, bye Stay one more night, night, night, night, night You make it right Don't say goodbye Don't say goodbye, bye, bye, bye Stay one more night, night, night, night, night You make it right Don't say goodbye
The way you play me, I can't control Just wanna be the one who can take you home You tell me that you want it, you wanna tell But keep me waiting
Don't say goodbye, bye, bye, bye, bye Stay one more night, night, night You make it right Don't say goodbye Don't say goodbye, bye, bye, bye Night, night, night, night, night (one more night) Right Don't say goodbye
Olivia Addams, “Stranger”
I'm crying, I'm crying, I'm crying so bad My waterproof make-up is still intact But you can see I'm so sad, so sad My baby, you know, you know (you know) Babe, I got a stranger in my mind And I ain't got a clue how to tell you
Got a stranger in my mind But you still hold me better at night Babe, I got a stranger in my mind And I ain't got a clue how to tell you Got a stranger in my mind But you still hold me better at night Sticks and stones may brake my bones I don't wanna leave my home
Cuz you always keep me on my toes (oh) Now look what you've done I'm crying, I'm crying, I'm crying so bad My waterproof make-up is still intact But you can see I'm so sad, so sad My baby, you know, you know (you know)
Ed Sheeran Bad Habits
One, two, three, four Ooh, ooh
Every time you come around, you know I can't say no Every time the sun goes down, I let you take control I can feel the paradise before my world implodes And tonight had something wonderful
My bad habits lead to late nights endin' alone Conversations with a stranger I barely know Swearin' this will be the last, but it probably won't I got nothin' left to lose, or use, or do
My bad habits lead to wide eyes stare into space And I know I'll lose control of the things that I say Yeah, I was lookin' for a way out, now I can't escape Nothin' happens after two, it's true, it's true My bad habits lead to you
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh My bad habits lead to you Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh My bad habits lead to you
Every pure intention ends when the good times start Fallin' over everything to reach the first time's spark It started under neon lights, and then it all got dark I only know how to go too far
My bad habits lead to late nights endin' alone Conversations with a stranger I barely know Swearin' this will be the last, but it probably won't I got nothin' left to lose, or use, or do
My bad habits lead to wide eyes stare into space And I know I'll lose control of the things that I say Yeah, I was lookin' for a way out, now I can't escape Nothin' happens after two, it's true, it's true My bad habits lead to you
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh My bad habits lead to you Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
We took the long way 'round Burned 'til the fun ran out, now
My bad habits lead to late nights endin' alone Conversations with a stranger I barely know Swearin' this will be the last, but it probably won't I got nothin' left to lose, or use, or do
My bad habits lead to wide eyes stare into space And I know I'll lose control of the things that I say Yeah, I was lookin' for a way out, now I can't escape Nothin' happens after two, it's true, it's true My bad habits lead to you
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh My bad habits lead to you Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh My bad habits lead to you
In my work I have come across common mistake occurrences such as improper use of the objective pronoun, double negative or incorrect verb conjugation. Each mistake occurrence is divided into its own subchapter, where I explain the grammar rules and I show grammatically incorrect cases on some examples of the song lyrics. I examine the song lyrics in search for grammar mistakes, then I explain the mistakes and I suggest suitable solution for some of them.
INTRODUCTION
I analyze mistakes and explain the difference between them. It also exposes the reasons why there tend to be mistakes in song lyrics.
The main part of this thesis is a determination of goals and their achievement. For our main goals, we chose to find out whether students are able to detect a mistake in an extrac.
References:
Adolphs S., & Schmitt N. (2003). Lexical coverage of spoken discourse. Applied Linguistics, 24(4).
Murphey, Tim. Music & Song. Oxford: University Press, 1992. Print Graham. C. 1993 Granmrar chants: More Jazz Chants. OUP.
Korostelev V.S.. Passov E.I. The process of learning the lexical side of speech as a system / Problems of the communicative method of teaching the foreign side of speech / VGPL Voronezh, 1980.
Alderson, J.C. (2007). Judging the frequency OfEnglish words. Applied Linguistics. 28 (3).
Sinkevich G.S.. Song in English lessons / G. S. Sinkevich / / Foreign language at school. 2002 - P. 50 -53.
Kadebostany “Castle in the snow”
The light is fading now My soul is running on a puff That I cannot reach My brain is turnin' And my head is hurtin' Every day a little bit more
The light is fading now My forces is being sucked by A bloody leach My fear is smilin' And my threat is singin' Every night a little bit more
I cannot see anything I am blindfolded
I can hear the birds I can see them fly I can see the sky I can hear the birds I can see them fly I can see the sky It's about to cry
I'm a zombie I don't know what to do I should be done in the place But I gotta stay, stay stay Stay stay stay stay
I can hear the birds I can see them fly I can see the sky I can hear the birds I can see them fly I can see the sky It's about to cry
I can hear the birds I can see the sky I can hear the birds I can see the sky It's about to cry
I'm so lonely I don't know if I get through I wanna be floating in space But I gotta stay, stay stay Stay stay stay stay
I can hear the birds I can see them fly I can see the sky I can hear the birds I can see them fly I can see the sky It's about to cry I can hear the birds
Gym Class Heroes “Stereo Hearts”
My heart's a stereo
It beats for you, so listen close
Hear my thoughts in every note, oh oh.
Make me your radio
Turn me up when you feel low
This melody was meant for you
Just sing along to my stereo
If I was just another dusty record on the shelf
Would you blow me off and play me like everybody else?
If I asked you to scratch my back, could you manage that?
Like it read well, check it Travie, I can handle that
Furthermore, I apologize for any skipping tracks
It's just the last girl that played me left a couple cracks
I used to used to used to used to, now I'm over that
Cause holding grudges over love is ancient artifacts
If I could only find a note to make you understand
I'd sing it softly in your ear and grab you by the hand
Keep it stuck inside your head, like your favorite tune
And know my heart's a stereo that only plays for you
My heart's a stereo
It beats for you, so listen close
Hear my thoughts in every note, oh oh
Make me your radio
Turn me up when you feel low
This melody was meant for you
Just sing along to my stereo
Oh oh oh oh to my stereo
Oh oh oh oh so sing along to my stereo
If I was an old-school, fifty pound boombox
Would you hold me on your shoulder, wherever you walk?
Would you turn my volume up in front of the cops?
And crank it higher everytime they told you to stop?
And all I ask is that you don't get mad at me
When you have to purchase mad D batteries.
Appreciate every mixtape your friends make
You never know we come and go like on the interstate.
I think finally found a note to make you understand
If you can hit it, sing along and take me by the hand
Keep myself inside your head, like your favorite tune
You know my heart's a stereo that only plays for you
My heart's a stereo
It beats for you, so listen close
Hear my thoughts in every note, oh oh
Make me your radio
Turn me up when you feel low
This melody was meant for you
Just sing along to my stereo
Oh oh oh oh to my stereo
Oh oh oh oh so sing along to my stereo
I only pray you'll never leave me behind (never leave me)
Because good music can be so hard to find (so hard to find)
I take your hand and pull it closer to mine
Thought love was dead, but now you're changing my mind
