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Language can be generally defined as
a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication.
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Language is a system
• Systematic---- rule-governed, elements in it are arranged according to certain rules; can’t be combined at will. e.g. *bkli, *I apple eat.
language, Luxun’s language) • a particular variety or level of speech or writing (e.g.
language for special purpose, colloquial language) • the abstract system underlying the totality of the
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Hall’s definition (1968)
• Language is “the institution whereby humans communicate and interact with each other by means of habitually used oral-auditory arbitrary symbols.”
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The Requirements for this course
• Class attendance • Classroom discussion • Fulfillment of the assignment • Examination
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Reference Books
• 戴炜栋，何兆熊，(20社。
speech/writing behavior of a community (e.g. Chinese language, first language) • the common features of all human languages (e.g. He studies language) • a tool for human communication. (social function) • a set of rules. (rule-governed)
linguistics; • To understand the applications of the linguistic
theories, especially in the fields of language teaching & learning (SLA or TEFL), crosscultural communication……; • To prepare for the future research work.
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Chomsky’s definition (1957)
• “From now on I will consider language to be a set of (finite or infinite) sentences, each finite in length and constructed out of a finite set of elements.”
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Language is primarily vocal
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Chapter 1. Introduction
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1. What is language?
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Language can mean
• what a person says (e.g. bad language, expressions) • the way of speaking or writing (e.g. Shakespeare’s
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Sapir’s definition (1921)
• “Language is a purely human and noninstinctive method of communicating ideas, emotions and desires by means of voluntarily produced symbols.”
• 胡壮麟，(2001)，《语言学教程》，北京大学出版社。
• 刘润清，(1995)，《西方语言学流派》，外语教学与研究出版 社。
• Fromkin,V. & R. Rodman, (1998), An Introduction to Language the sixth edition, Orlando, Florida: Holt, Ranehart & Winston, Inc.
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Language is arbitrary
• Arbitrary---- no intrinsic connection between the word and the thing it denotes, e.g. “pen” by any other name is the thing we use to write with.
A Course on Linguistics
戴炜栋《新编简明英语语言学教程》
（网络下载，调整修改中）
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The Goals for this Course
• To get a scientific view on language; • To understand some basic theories on
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Language is symbolic in nature
• Symbolic---- words are associated with objects, actions ideas by convention. “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet”---Shakespeare