This definition is illustrated as follows: follows: (1) Language is systematic/a system. system. The basic elements of a language are limited in number and they are combined according to rules. rules. e.g.
How does modern linguistics differ from traditional grammar?
4. What is language?
Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication. communication.
(2) Shakespeare’s language; Lu Xun’s language Shakespeare’ language; Xun’ one’s idiolect (3) colloquial language, religious language, formal language, language, language, language, poetic language a variety of speech or writing, a system of linguistic expressions
Semantics 语义学: the study of the meaning of 语义学: linguistic units; units; Pragmatics 语 用 学 : the study of the use of language. language.
Macrolinguistics: Macrolinguistics: Sociolinguistics 社会语言学 : the study of the 社会语言学: relationship between language and society; society; Psycholinguistics 心理语言学 : the study of the 心理语言学: relationship between language and psychology; psychology;
Chapter 1
Introduction
1. What is linguistics?
the scientific or systematic study of language. language. It studies languages in general. general.
Linguistics as a science Generally, a process of linguistic study may be stated as follows: follows: (1) Collect and observe language facts; facts; (2) Make generalizations about the facts; facts; (3) Formulate some hypotheses about the language structure; structure;
a. Different languages have different words for the same subject. e.g. subject. Chinese 朋友 喜欢 English friend love French ami(e) aimer
Lanlatively stable; stable; Parole: Parole: concrete and changes frequently. frequently.
(5) Competence and performance 语言能力 与语言运用 This distinction was made by the American linguist N. Chomsky. Chomsky. Competence refers to the ideal user’s user’ knowledge of the rules of his language, and performance refers to the actual realization of this knowledge in linguistic communication. communication.
Applied linguistics 应用语言学: the application of 应用语言学: the linguistic theories and principles to language teaching, especially the teaching of foreign and second languages. languages.
Modern linguistics is mostly ______. ______.
(2) Synchronic vs. diachronic 共时性对历时 vs. 性 The description of a language at some point of time in history is a synchronic study; the study; description of a language as it changes through time is a diachronic study. study.
﹡[spmotr] It violates such a rule: s﹢voiceless stop﹢l／r rule: stop﹢ spring; ／w﹢vowel, e.g. split, spring; [tr] never occur syllable final. final. ﹡red a book ﹡At a throws man the stone car the. the. ﹡as timid as a mouse
(4) Check the hypotheses against the observed facts; facts; (5) Develop a theory about how language is constructed.
What does “language” mean? language” (1) The idea of the paper is good, but the language is terrible. terrible. specific utterances or expressions one uses in speech or in writing
2. Scope of linguistics
Microlinguistics: Microlinguistics: Phonetics 语 音学 : the study of the speeches sounds; sounds; Phonology 音位学: the study of how sounds are 音位学: put together to convey meaning in communication; communication;
Morphology 形态学: the study of how meaningful 形态学: units are organized into words; words; Syntax 句法学 : the study of how words are 句法学: organized into larger structural units like phrases, clauses and sentences; sentences;
3. Some distinctions in linguistics
(1) Prescriptive vs. descriptive 规定性对 vs. 描述性 What do they mean respectively and what is their difference?
describe and analyze the language people actually use; use; lay down rules for “correct and standard” standard” behavior in using language. language.
(3) Speech and writing 语言与文字 Modern linguistics regards ______ as the natural and primary media of human language. language. What are the reasons?
(4) Langue and parole 语言与话语 This distinction was made by the Swiss linguist F. de Saussure. Saussure. Langue refers to the abstract linguistic system shared by all the members of a speech community, and parole refers to the realization of langue in actual use. use.
(4) the Chinese language, the English language, the language, language, native language an abstract system (phonology, grammar, and vocabulary) underlying the totality of speech behavior of a community