Linguistics; h. z3 k8 Z+ F( o) T* R
Chapter 1 Introduction: Language and Linguistics D2 }. X" n3 x3 z) H4 z
l What is language?
% b: e F7 o5 v( z8 y$ f/ r3 L n Different definitions of language/ ]! V: [* K# b9 c8 T. b" K( U
u Language is a system whose parts can and must be considered in their synchronic solidarity. (de Saussure, 1916)
' c! ~, [; c1 W1 t( B" w6 L( h 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)
- h! s* w8 J3 Z4 y+ P! o u Language is a purely human and non-instinctive method of communicating ideas, emotions and desires by means of voluntarily produced symbols., J9 @0 n- k# h" H: z" T
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.5 k1 a6 k1 u1 u: ~
n As is agreed by linguists in broad terms, language can be defined as a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication.8 ~5 s& A4 R6 g: R3 F4 U1 a/ f
l Features of human language
1 a: A- f# ~0 g6 Z- X n Creativity
6 w: j B4 l2 P u Language provides opportunities for sending messages that have never been sent before and for understanding brand new messages.1 V. |& k# }0 q2 t, k1 r
u The grammar rules and the words are finite, but the sentences are infinite. Every speaker uses language creatively.# s8 M3 {- d4 m. V' h, R
n Duality) s6 D/ P* ?+ i( A
u Language contains two subsystems, one of sounds and the other of meanings.- _. S6 C4 p% }8 k
u Certain sounds or sequences of sounds stand for certain meanings.
0 O- L7 V/ A7 j. J; V0 u" o- k0 o: | u Certain meanings are conveyed by certain speech sounds or sequences of speech sounds.% d) U9 j$ o. H4 _4 R Z
n Arbitrariness- P: N4 ^5 c5 N
u The relationship between the two subsystems of language is arbitrary.
. X7 n- A: n: ^, _ u There is no logical connection between sound and meaning.! k# d$ j4 }0 Z% N- r
n Displacement
7 \( g. ]: z; x7 T u There is no limit in time or space for language.
1 Q* O5 | D$ l2 O( a# `. h u Language can be used to refer to things real or imagined, past, present or future.$ Z6 b* L* Z! s) V" J
n Cultural transmission
! ?" R: d% h0 { u Culture cannot be genetically transmitted. Instead, it must be learned.* }. G0 E7 i# f) z$ J
u Language is a way of transmitting culture.1 B7 w2 m7 U1 R
n Interchangeability
. [6 L3 z; _5 B u All members of a speech community can send and receive messages.
" Y5 }$ t2 W5 B9 c) A6 X n Reflexivity+ b1 d/ @7 B% {* R" s
u Human languages can be used to describe themselves. ~7 N# I* R7 O2 _. @/ w1 w) W
u The language used to talk about language is called meta-language.& {& ?) q3 g: m% U* M$ Q u$ }9 R
l Functions of language – three meta-functions
& _" C; X$ m) y- r0 ~ n The ideational function
3 h& _1 b* S/ j' Z; Z7 {$ p' B u To identify things, to think, or to record information./ ?2 L& P& K- F5 m
n The interpersonal function' w* r% G+ T- d0 M9 `8 W7 E
u To get along in a community.
9 }7 }, C9 ~* ? n The textual function- T& e9 C$ w+ s
u To form a text.) x' h1 @/ a5 P3 | ]
l Types of language5 M! p" [" L Z! _# Y8 T
n Genetic classification
. n/ V: q/ e* I8 W n Typological classification/ p5 ?' t' p: _' |, k5 Z
u Analytic language – no inflections or formal changes, grammatical relationships are shown through word order, such as Chinese and Vietnamese: L0 B4 M9 E& ]) L9 Z: r
u Synthetic language – grammatical relationships are expressed by changing the internal structure of the words, typically by changing the inflectional endings, such as English and German
5 h" F. W7 B9 k# H& y u Agglutinating language – words are built out of a long sequence of units, with each unit expressing a particular grammatical meaning, such as Japanese and Turkish |
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