英语自考现代语言学简答题.docVIP

绪论 1. why is language not entirely arbitrary? Because there are words in every language that imitate natural sounds, such as crash, bang in English .besides, some compound words are also not entirely arbitrary .these words cannot be made freely . 2. why is language culturally transmitted and why are animal call system genetically transmitted ? Because the details of any language are not genetically transmitted ,but instead have to be taught and learned anew . it is passed on from one generation to another through teaching and learning rather than by instinct . in contrast ,animals are born with the capacity to produce the set of calls peculiar to their species, so animals call system are genetically transmitted. 3. language has the design feature of duality .why ? The duality nature of language means that language is system ,which consists off two sets of structures ,or two levels ,one of sounds and the other of meanings . at the lower or the basic level ,there is the structure of sounds , which are meaningless. At the higher level ,the units can be arranged and rearranged into an infinite number of sentences . 4. why is productivity unique to language ? Language is productive or creative in that it makes possible the construction and interpretation of new signal by its users. The users can send message which no one else has ever sent before. 5. what does the displacement feature of language mean ? Displacement means that language can be used to refer to things which are present or not present ,real or imagined matters in the past, present, or future or in far-away places . in other words language can be used to refer context removed from the immediate situation of the speakers. 6.how is the modern linguistics differ from traditional grammar? Modern linguistics differs from traditional grammar . traditional grammar is prescriptive, it is based on high written language . it sets models for language users to follow . but modern linguistics is descriptive ,its