Revisiting Challenges of Traditional & Transformational Grammar in ELT: A Sign-based Approach

Complexity is a buzzword of post-modern schools of thought. Framed in a sign-based approach from Columbia School of linguistics, the current study aims at revisiting some challenges of traditional & even transformational grammar instruction in ELT programs which are highly decontextualized, sentence-based. Specifically, the application of gerund or infinitive form followed by some verbs such as “begin, start, continue, like, love, prefer, have, can’t stand, can’t bear” in traditional & transformational grammar which is claimed to be of little or sometimes no difference in meaning is securitized. In so doing, data are collected from 50 samples in an online News site i.e. Reuters in 2012 without considering its genre. Findings show that there exists a significant difference in frequency distribution of gerund/infinitive problematize and confirm the complex debate of the application of gerund or infinitive form followed by the mentioned verbs. In fact, this complexity can be reflective of controversial issues in English Language Education and its sub skills like grammar education. Implications of this study can act as a departure point for textbook designers in grammar studies, linguists and ELT teachers, to name few.