《英语语言学》复习要点.docVIP

Chapter 1 Invitations to Linguistics 1. Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication. To give the barest definition language is a means of verbal communication. It is instrumental social and conventional. Linguistics is usually defined as the science of language or alternatively as the scientific study of language. It concerns with the systematic study of language or a discipline that describes all aspects of language and formulates theories as to how language works. 2.Design features refers to the defining properties of human language that distinguish it fro