Chapter1.1概要1.ppt

An Introduction to Linguistics Chapter 1 Introduction What is the meaning of this word “linguistics”? lingu- +-stics= linguistics Why should we study linguistics? Example 1 A: 刚才和我跳舞的那位跳得太好啦！是你们单位的吗？ B: 是的。他妻子跳得更好呢！ Example 2 A: My name is Sara. I am new here. Nice to meet you. B: Nice to meet you, too. I am John, 25, and single. A: …Can you introduce me to that lady over there? Class attendance 10% Class performance 20%: Group work 15% (Paper reading, asking and answering, presentation…) Homework 5% Final exam 70% Chapter OneLecture One Language 1.What is Language? 2. Design Features of Language 3. Functions of language 4. Origin of language 1.1 What is language? Does the word language mean the same in the following set of expressions? “the languages in the world” “bad language” “Mark Twain’s language” “body language” Language≠langauges, a language, the language Linguists tend to provide definitions of language from their own theoretical perspectives.  Edward Sapir (1884.1-1939.2) a German-born American anthropologist- linguist, said in 1921: “Language is a purely human and non-instinctive method of communicating ideas, emotion and desires by means of voluntarily produced symbols.”  David Crystal(1940- ), a British linguist “The systematic, conventional use of sounds, signs, or written symbols in a human society for communication and self-expression.” 语言是人类特有的一种符号系统。 当作用于人与人的关系的时候，它是表达相互反应的中介； 当作用于人与客观世界的关系的时候，它是认知事物的工具； 当作用于文化的时候，它是文化信息的载体。 （许国璋《中国大百科全书?语言文字》） In most definitiongs, we can find: system, symbols, communicate, human