语言学期末考试重点.docxVIP

What is language?“ Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication.”System: linguistic elements are arranged systematically, rather than randomly.Arbitrary: e.g. book Symbolic: people use the sounds or vocal forms to symbolize what they wish to refer to.Vocal: language is primarily vocal, rather than written Human-specific:Design features of language语言的本质特征Arbitrariness （任意性）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