The introduction of grammatical complements and subordinates represents a crucial and important step forward towards the set – up of my philosophical constructed language. Interestingly, the structure of symbolic complements and subordinates is the same : in both cases, the pieces of information expressed are interpreted as specific additional information of the main clause; if the additional information is a nominal element (noun or nominal group), this corresponds to a complement; by contrast, if the supplementary information is a clause, then we deal with a subordinate.

For the purpose of this analysis, let us firstly take into consideration two examples of simple (key) additional information, before introducing examples of symbolic complements and subordinates :

The fact that a specific philosopher investigates evil is characterized by originality

The fact that a specific philosopher investigates evil is characterized by the fact that he (pro – form referring back to “philosopher”) is (opinion level) original

In both cases, the main clause preceding the additional function of characterization (double straigh line) is called “entry information”, whereas what follows this function is called “specification”. As you can see, in the first example, the additional piece of information is represented by the nominal element “originality” whereas in the second one, the specification is rendered as a clause (“he is original”).

Incidentally, the expression “the fact that” does not appear explicitly in terms of symbols but it emerges in the English rendering of two symbolic chains (namely, entry information and specification). In view of this, let us explore the literal structure of the symbolic chains in both examples :

Beginning mark of sentence – evil – to investigate – philosopher – a specific – characterization function – originality – End mark of sentence

Beginning mark of sentence – evil – to investigate – philosopher – a specific – characterization function – he (pro – form) – to be (opinion level) – original – End mark of sentence

All said this, complements and subordinates are seen as specific (not key) additional information. In all cases, the additional function of characterization (double straight line) is topped with a specific symbol of the system, so that it specifies the kind of supplementary information.

Here follow some basic examples of complements and subordinates expressing concession, cause, purpose, time and space. It must be kept in mind that only a few complementary functions introduce ordinary complements or subordinates :

1. Concession :

The hobbies that the child fulfils are interesting despite their demandingness

Back translation :

Beginning mark of sentence – hobbies – to fulfil – child – conceptual full stop – to be (contingent sense) – Kien function – interesting (predicate adjective form) – complementary function of concession introducing a nominal element (complement of concession) – them – of – demandingness (Groen function) – End mark of sentence

The hobbies that the child fulfils are interesting despite the fact that they are undermined by the surrounding environment

(The hobbies that the child fulfils are interesting but they are undermined by the surrounding environment)

Back translation :

Beginning mark of sentence – hobbies – to fulfil – child – conceptual full stop – to be (contingent sense) – Kien function – interesting (predicate adjective form) – complementary function of concession introducing a clause (concessive subordinate) – they (pro – form referring back to “hobbies”) – to undermine – surrounding environment – End mark of sentence

2. Cause :

The child experiences lack of self – esteem (G1 compound) because of anxiety

Beginning mark of sentence – lack of self esteem – to experience – child – complementary function of cause introducing a nominal element (complement of cause) – anxiety – End mark of sentence

A specific hobby is disregarded because it is not interesting

Back translation :

Beginning mark of sentence – hobby – specific – to disregard – complementary function of cause introducing a clause (causative subordinate) – it (pro – form referring back to “hobby”) – not to be (negative form of contingent “to be”) – interesting (predicate adjective form) – End mark of sentence

3. Purpose :

The child perseveres in his passions for the purpose of his spiritual growth

Back translation :

Beginning mark of sentence – hobbies (passions) – to persevere in – child – complementary function of purpose introducing a nominal element (complement of purpose) – spiritual growth – End mark of sentence

The child perseveres in his passions in order to strengthen his commitment

(The child perseveres in his passions so that he strengthens his commitment)

Back translation :  

Beginning mark of sentence – hobbies (passions) – to persevere in – child – complementary function of purpose introducing a clause (purpose clause) – commitment – to strengthen – he (pro – form referring back to “child”) – End mark of sentence

4. Time :

The child experiences anxiety during his childhood     

Back translation :

Beginning mark of sentence – anxiety – to experience – child – complementary function of time introducing a nominal element (complement of time) – him – of – childhood (Groen function) – End mark of sentence

The child experiences lack of self – esteem when the surrounding environment undermines his hobbies

Back translation :

Beginning mark of sentence – lack of self esteem – to experience – child – complementary function of time introducing a clause (temporal clause) – him – of – hobbies (Groen function) – to undermine – surrounding environment – End mark of sentence

5. Place :

Human beings committed saddening crimes on Planet Earth

Back translation :

Beginning mark of sentence – saddening (qualifying adjective form) – crimes (Groen function) – conceptual full stop – to commit – the past – to be in (temporal meaning) – human beings – complementary function of place introducing a nominal element (place complement) – Planet Earth – End mark of sentence

The child improves his activity where the surrounding environment encourages him

Back translation :

Beginning mark of sentence – activity – to improve – child – complementary function of place introducing a clause (place subordinate) – him (pro – form referring back to “child”) – to encourage – surrounding environment – End mark of sentence

Further readings :

Details on the characterization function : pages 174 – 203 of the philosophical book

Complementary functions : pages 203 – 226 of the philosophical book

Explanation of the symbolic group defining the concept of “hobbies” (passions) : page 20 of the philosophical book

Explanation of the symbolic group expressing the concept of “lack of self – esteem” : page 19 of the philosophical book

“Beginning mark of sentence” and “End mark of sentence” : pages 128 and 130 of the philosophical book

Conceptual full stop : pages 182 – 203 of the philosophical book

Different kinds of the verb “to be” : pages 167 – 173 of the philosophical book

Kien Function : pages 224 and 343 of the philosophical book

Predicate adjectives and qualifying adjectives : page 223 and pages 320 – 336 of the philosophical book

Groen function : pages 217 – 219 and pages 220 – 225 of the philosophical book

Pro – forms : pages 156 – 160 and pages 310 – 319 of the philosophical book

Explanation of the symbolic group defining the concept of “purpose” (that appears at the top right corner of the characterization function in complementary functions of purpose) : page 23 of the philosophical book

Explanation of the verbal tense “simple past” : pages 153 – 154 of the philosophical book