Linguistics
0 [- _* R; f( U, w! |0 r Chapter 1 Introduction: Language and Linguistics
+ b: p% F: G* E' Q l What is language?1 \5 o; u0 i4 |
n Different definitions of language
# [: o9 \$ ~$ N u Language is a system whose parts can and must be considered in their synchronic solidarity. (de Saussure, 1916)
. ^8 R$ w `/ M( k u [Language is] a set (finite or infinite) of sentences, each finite in length and constructed out of a finite set of elements. (Chomsky, 1957)
3 F4 [* y, z9 F! v9 [; S' E& S! a u Language is a purely human and non-instinctive method of communicating ideas, emotions and desires by means of voluntarily produced symbols.
$ i4 m2 G) x2 ~! {- N n Each of the definitions above has pointed out some aspects of the essence of language, but all of them have left out something. We must see the multi-faceted nature of language.3 W; r. @% J1 e- G6 w: { n0 C8 L9 @# V
n As is agreed by linguists in broad terms, language can be defined as a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication.
5 B0 r8 K2 J3 r. F1 J, } l Features of human language
9 B) A0 T d" \( Q# q3 c n Creativity
& f3 G7 H7 R) Y7 |6 Q u Language provides opportunities for sending messages that have never been sent before and for understanding brand new messages.
6 C, H0 V" ?8 @& D, N7 T& c9 B u The grammar rules and the words are finite, but the sentences are infinite. Every speaker uses language creatively.! Z- b& h" J- s) k
n Duality
) e. d4 n. f9 k8 p' E u Language contains two subsystems, one of sounds and the other of meanings./ f( U" W8 c3 l( a/ [1 v/ n% Y
u Certain sounds or sequences of sounds stand for certain meanings." G i$ v& c, P5 H* N/ \7 }. L
u Certain meanings are conveyed by certain speech sounds or sequences of speech sounds.2 t! h3 h0 e9 U! M! G% j
n Arbitrariness
6 A, _7 Z% u4 D u The relationship between the two subsystems of language is arbitrary.. @; `6 C5 q/ q h, F3 v- P
u There is no logical connection between sound and meaning.
5 k5 W1 Z! I% I/ d% q1 F n Displacement
3 J: L5 z& X$ q" g/ r u There is no limit in time or space for language.
9 x$ V6 ~, ~* }4 F- b' q$ S& g u Language can be used to refer to things real or imagined, past, present or future.+ V# W6 n N& q5 X" |* h' v
n Cultural transmission
5 C+ H& l6 b( E% B# f u Culture cannot be genetically transmitted. Instead, it must be learned.
+ {. M# o* `$ n; z3 W u Language is a way of transmitting culture.6 j6 j+ P" G* H" W0 a7 `
n Interchangeability
/ d7 e7 U3 N8 @3 z u All members of a speech community can send and receive messages./ _ H% |' e, c/ f. G f! ]2 r: P
n Reflexivity+ B- E: P* i7 l! z& w
u Human languages can be used to describe themselves." h: d3 E5 T& R7 o
u The language used to talk about language is called meta-language.: K4 L# B' U* y5 q) `7 ~' v. `
l Functions of language – three meta-functions1 m" I0 C- E$ J2 d
n The ideational function$ \) ^. W. G( t
u To identify things, to think, or to record information.
( L9 b, Q0 y7 ~ n The interpersonal function
# v5 H1 Q& c$ p V; K" W+ v/ T u To get along in a community.* ~6 _1 b3 o' r
n The textual function
- j7 a8 Q% z$ r V6 O u To form a text.
5 `, [) F7 z. W! e l Types of language
# C* z& A1 p% @; x( U# j n Genetic classification2 V, Y8 I; {( H/ T
n Typological classification$ q1 z+ }" v- C8 y5 @
u Analytic language – no inflections or formal changes, grammatical relationships are shown through word order, such as Chinese and Vietnamese |