01 Invitation to linguistics.ppt

Chapter 1 Invitation to Linguistics 1.1 Why Study Language? The Myth of Language Language is only a means of communication. Language has a form-meaning correspondence. The function of language is to exchange information. English is more difficult to learn than Chinese. Black English is not standard and should be reformed. Reasons for Studying Langauge A tool for communication An integral part of our life and humanity If we are not fully aware of the nature and mechanism of our language, we will be ignorant of what constitutes our essential humanity. 1.2 What is Language Language is a means of communication. Communication----A process in which information is transmitted from a source (sender or speaker) to a goal (receiver or listener). ??? noises in the throat deaf-and-dumb signs scribbles on paper smoke signals traffic light wagging of tails Writing system? But many groups of people have no writing system, it does not mean that they have no language *The word “language” derives from the Latin word “lingua”, meaning the “tongue” (2) Language is a vocal means of communication. Vocal--------the primary medium for all languages is sound, no matter how well developed their writing systems are. Writing systems came into being much later than the spoken forms. People with little or no literacy can also be competent language users. ??? What do we vocalize? Do we simply make noises? Everything we utter is arranged in a meaningful order. The noises we make have some perceived order and arrangement. And they express ideas that can be communicated to the listener and the listener is able to respond in a meaningful way. (3) Language is a vocal system of communication. A system----elements in it are arranged according to certain rules. They cannot be arranged at will. We use language in this way because language is a system, or it is made up of a system. Otherwise we are simply making noises. The language system is constituted by the phonological, gram