[PPT模板]语言学.ppt

Lg is arbitrary—there is no intrinsic connection between a linguistic symbol and what the symbol stands for. This also explains the symbolic nature of lg: words are just symbols; they are associated with objects, actions, ideas, etc. by convention. This conventional nature of lg is well illustrated by a famous quotation from Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet”: “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Human—is meant to specify that lg is human-specific. It is very different from the communication systems other forms of life possess, such as bird songs and bee dances. Productivity is unique to human lg. Most animals communication systems appear to be highly restricted with respect to the number of different signals that their users can send and receive. e.g. bee dancing is used only to indicate food sources, which is the only kind message that can be sent through the dancing. Hierarchy of language: texts/discouse sentencs clauses phrases words morphemes syllables sounds This duality of structure of lg enables its users to talk about anything within their knowledge. No animal communication system has duality or even comes near to possessing it. 1.2.3 Arbitrariness the relationship between sounds and the meanings they represent in the lanuages of the world is, for the most part, an arbitrary one. signifier (sound image) Linguistic signs signified (referent) (by Swiss linguist de Saussure ) The arbitrary nature of lg is a sign of sophistication and it makes it possible for lg to have an unlimited source of expressions. Thus, we can refer to Confucius, or the North Pole, even though the first died over 2550 years ago and the second is situated far away from us. In contrast, no animal communication system possesses this feature. Animal calls are mainly uttered in response to immediate