语言学第1章.pptVIP

English Linguistics: 《英语语言学概论》 Welcome to the lectures on English Linguistics: An Introduction! Contents Chapter 1 Language 1.1 What is Language? First, language is a system, i.e., elements of language are combined according to rules. Every language contains a set of rules. Second, language is arbitrary in the sense that there is no intrinsic or logical connection between a linguistic symbol and what the symbol stands for. This also explains the third feature of language, symbolic nature: words are just symbols; they are associated with objects, actions, ideas, etc. by convention.