SYNTAX IN COMPUTER OPERATING DIRECTIONS

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of syntactical structures used in computer-operating directions. The analysis is aimed at helping both com¬mon readers and students of English understand the directions well. The theory underlying the analysis comprises Nelson's, Hockett's, Downing's, and O'Grady's concept of English syntax, and Jackson's idea of English phrases and clauses. Based on the analysis, the writer found the following findings. First, imperatives play a dominant role in computer operating di¬rections. The imperatives are composed of infinitive without to followed by direct object and adverb. The direct object is in he form of noun phrase. Second, all the directions begin with to-infinitive with direct object as ad¬verb of purpose. Third, the tense used is simple present because a direction deals with future activity. The idea of future in English is not always ex¬pressed in simple future tense. Next, the sentence length of the directions depends much on the phrases and vocabulary used. Most of the phrases are in the form of noun phrases. One important thing to keep in mind is that to understand computer-operating directions the knowledge of English syntax is inadequate. Mastery of the meaning of certain terms is of great impor¬tance loo. Key words: syntax, direction, computer