英语语言学Chapter1.docVIP

Chapter1 1.“Lge is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication.” ---(英)Ronald Wardhaugh(沃德霍): Introduction to Linguistics (1977) system: elements in lge are arranged according to certain rules. arbitrary: there is no intrinsic connection between the word and the things we refer to. vocal: the primary medium is sound for all lges symbol: words are associated with objects, actions, ideas by convention human: lge is human specific, different from the communication system of animals 2.“Lge is a means of verbal communication.” It is instrumental in that communicating by speaking or writing is a purposeful act. It is social and conventional in that lge is a social semiotic and communication can only take place effectively if all the users share a broad understanding of human interaction including such associated factors as nonverbal cues, motivation, and socio-cultural roles. -- Hu Zhuanglin (2006) 3. Design Features of Language Lge distinguishes human beings from animals in that it is far more sophisticated than any animal communication system. Human lge is ‘unique’ Arbitrariness(任意性) 3.1 Arbitrarines Saussure: the forms of linguistic signs bear no natural relationship to their meaning Arbitrary relationship between the sound of a morpheme and its meaning, even with onomatopoeic words: The dog barks wow wow in English but “汪汪汪” in Chinese. Arbitrariness at the syntactic level: lge is not arbitrary at the syntactic level. He came in and sat down. He sat down and came in. He sat down after he came in. The link between a linguistic sign and its meaning is a matter of convention. 3.2 Duality lower level ---- sounds (meaningless) higher level---- meaning The property of having two levels of structures, such that units of the primary level are composed of elements of the secondary level and each of the two levels has its own principles of organization: Primary units ‘words’ (meaningful) consist of secondary units ‘sounds’ (me