语言学概论第一章.ppt

Chapter 1 Introduction Preliminaries: What is language? What is language used for? (1) about language 1.A generally accepted definition: Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication. Language must be a system. Language is arbitrary. Language is symbolic. Language is primarily vocal. Language is human-specific. 许国璋先生对‘语言’的定义做了如下概括: 语言是人类特有的一种符号系统, 当它作用于人与人的关系的时候,它是表达相互反应的中介; 当它作用于人与客观世界的关系的时候,它是认知事物的工具; 当它作用于文化的时候,它是文化的载体和容器。 What are the features of human languages? In what ways are human languages different from the communicat