语言学一到四章.docVIP

Chapter 1. Language and linguistics 一，language 1.What is language? 2. Design features of language 3. Functions of language 4. The origin of language 5. Differences between human language and animal language 1. What is language? Language can be generally defined as a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication. 语言是一个用于人类交际的 、具有任意性的语音符号系统。 Language is a system. Systematic---- rule-governed, elements in it are arranged according to certain rules; can’t be combined at will. e.g. *bkli, *I apple eat. Language is arbitrary Arbitrary---- no intrinsic connection between the word and the thing it denotes, e.g. 損en?by any other name is the thing we use to write with. Language is symbolic in nature Sagymbolic---- words are associated with objects, actions ideas by convention. 揂 rose by any other name would smell as sweet?---Shakespeare Language is primarily vocal Vocal---- the primary medium is sound for all languages; writing system came much later than spoken form. Language is human-specific Human-specific---- different from the communication systems other forms of life possess, e.g. bird songs, bee dance, animal cries. 2. The design/defining features of human language (Charles Hockett) The defining properties of human language that distinguish it from any animal system of communication. 人类语言区别于任何一种动物交际系统的规定性特征。 ? Arbitrariness ? Productivity/Creativity ? Duality 双重 ? Displacement 移位 ? Cultural transmission Arbitrariness No logical (motivated or intrinsic) connection between sounds and meanings. Onomatopoeic words (which imitate natural sounds) are somewhat motivated ( English: rumble, crackle, bang, …. Chinese: putong, shasha, dingdang… ) Productivity/creativity Peculiar to human languages，users of language can understand and produce sentences they have never heard before, e.g. we can understand sentence like ?A red-eyed elephant is dancing on the hotel bed? thou