英语语言学概论重难点提示笔记.pdf

。 《英语语言学概论》重、难点提示 Questions Answers on Key Points of Linguistics 《英语语言学概论》重、难点问与答 1.1. What is language? Language“ is system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for humancommunication. It is a system, since linguistic elements are arranged systematically, rather than randomly. Arbitrary, in the sense that there is usually no intrinsic connection between a work (like book“ ”) and the object it refers to. This explains and is explained by the fact that different languages have different books“ ”: book“ ” in English, livre“ ” in French, in Japanese, in Chinese, check“ ” in Korean. It is symbolic, because words are associated with objects, actions, ideas etc. by nothing but convention. Namely, people use the sounds or vocal forms to symbolize what they wish to refer to. It is vocal, because sound or speech is the primary mediumfor all human languages, developed or “new”. Writing systems came much later than the spoken forms. The fact that small children learn and can only learn to speak (and listen) before they write (and read) also indicates that language is primarily vocal, rather than written. The term human“ ”in the definition is meant to specify that language is human specific. 1.2. What are design features of language? Design“ features ”here refer to the defining properties of human language that tell the difference between human language and any system of animal communication. They are arbitrariness, duality, productivity, displacement, cultural transmission and interchangeability 1.3. What is arbitrariness? By arbitrariness“ ”, we meanthere is no logical connection