NOMINALISATIONS

*
- Gayatree
*
*Nominalisation is a powerful linguistic resource
used for realising grammatical metaphors.
*Through nominalisation, processes, qualities and
circumstances are re-construed metaphorically
as nouns.
*Verbs: discover > discovery; permit > permission
*Adjectives: brave > bravery; different > difference
*Circumstances (adverbs): perfectly > perfection
*
*Higher degree of abstraction and technicality in
the language.
*The language becomes more objective and
formal as personal pronouns are removed.
*It is used to foreground the theme of the
sentence.
*It enables movement towards highly written
texts.


*
WORD WORD CLASS NOMINALISATION
Multiply Verb Multiplication
Original Adjective Originality
Creation
Perfectly Adverb
Important
*
WORD WORD CLASS NOMINALISATION
Multiply Verb Multiplication
Original Adjective Originality
Create Verb Creation
Perfectly Adverb Perfection
Important Adjective Importance
*
Congruent: VERBS Metaphorical: NOUNS
He removed the rubbish,
because it was necessary.
The removal of the rubbish
was necessary.
Congruent: ADJECTIVES Metaphorical: NOUNS
It was an original script. The originality of the script
was striking.
Congruent: ADVERBS Metaphorical: NOUNS
She talked happily. Her happiness was evident
through her talks.
1. Actions/ processes as things
2. Qualities as things
3. Circumstances as things
*
*Step 1 Identify the verbs
Students who complete what the
school requires can graduate. When
they receive their certificate, they can
apply for a job.

*
*Step 1 Identify the verbs
Students who complete what the
school requires can graduate. When
they receive their certificate, they can
apply for a job.

*
Step 2 Nominalise these verbs
*Complete >
*Require >
*Graduate >
*Receive >
*Apply >


*
Step 2 Nominalise these verbs
*Complete > Completion
*Require > Requirement
*Graduate > Graduation
*Receive > Receipt
*Apply > Application


*
Step 3
*Try to rewrite the text using all
nominalisations


*
Completion of the schools
requirements can lead to graduation.
Upon receipt of their certificate,
students can make an application for
a job.


*
*Verb > can lead to

*Foregrounding Theme> Completion
of the schools requirements

*Longer noun groups > receipt of
their certificate


*
His expulsion by school officials caused
serious personal reflection.

Step 1 change nouns to verbs
His [expel] by school officials caused
serious personal [reflect].





*
Step 2 Who are the actors?
school officials expel ; Him reflect

Step 3 Choose the main subject

He reflected seriously after the school
officials expelled him.
After he was expelled by the school
officials, he reflected seriously.