Chapter One Invitation to Linguistics
(1) Teaching aims: Let the students have the general idea about language and linguistics. (2) Teaching difficulties: design features of language; functions of language; some important distinctions in linguistics;

A system----since elements in it are

ቤተ መጻሕፍቲ ባይዱ
arranged according to certain rules systematically, rather than randomly. They cannot be arranged at will. e.g. He the table cleaned. (×) The child the street alone crossed. (×) bkli (×) xbo (×)
Time allocation:
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 weeks) Chapter 8 Invitations to Linguistics (2 weeks) Speech Sounds (2 weeks) Lexicon (2 weeks) From Word to Text (2 weeks) Meaning (2 weeks) Language and Cognition (2 weeks) Language, Culture, and Society (2
1.1 Why study language?
Myths about language:



Language is only a means of communication. Language has the form-meaning correspondence. The function of language is to exchange information. English is more difficult to learn than Chinese. Black English is not standard and should be reformed.
Students learning this subject
(1) This course is intended for English majors, generally for 3rd year college students (undergraduates), or at any level of proficiency from intermediate upwards, who need to know the fundamentals of linguistics. (2) Please note that a fairly good knowledge of linguistics is required in any postgraduate entrance exam, so we strongly advise prospective MA students to spend adequate time on this course. (3) If you choose linguistics as your future research interest and you plan to do more advanced work in this academic field, it is the right time for you to know the ABCs of general linguistics.
Linguistics
Lecturer Profile
Li Qingfeng BA (East China Normal University) MA (The University of Melbourne, Australia) Associate Professor of English Professor of English School of Foreign Languages and Cultures Ningxia University Email: qingfengli1203@
Something students need to know:
students learning this subject time allocation duration of this course ways to study this course ways to do well in assessment
What is language?
Our understanding and definition: Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication.
How do you understand the underlined words?
What is language? (p. 2)
Different senses of the word “language”: 1. Language is human speech; 2. the ability to communicate by this means; 3. a system of vocal sounds and combinations of such sounds to which meaning is attributed, used for the expression or communication of thoughts and feelings; 4. the written representation of such a system (Webster's New World Dictionary)
Fundamental views about language:




Children learn their native language swiftly, efficiently and without instruction. Language operates by rules. All languages have three major components: a sound system, a system of lexicogrammar and a system of semantics. Everyone speaks a dialect.
A public mailbox for the students registered in this course: Username: linguisticssubject@ Password: linguistics After each chapter, a PPT version of teaching notes will be posted to this mailbox. Please do not delete any mail.
Ways to study this course
(1) You are kindly required to attend every class and you need to take notes. (2) We are not going to deal with each section. You are required to read important sections in the book. (3) It is advisable to understand linguistic theories, ideas or notions through examples instead of memorizing word by word without comprehension. (4) Please review regularly what you have learned after class, and do additional exercises to strengthen the knowledge in your mind.
Arbitrary----there is no intrinsic (logic)

Symbols----words are just the symbols
associated with objects, actions, and ideas by nothing but convention. Namely, people use the sounds or vocal forms to symbolize what they wish to refer to.



Language slowly changes. Speakers of all language employ a range of styles and a set of jargons. Languages are intimately related to the societies and individuals who use them. Writing is derivative of speech.

connection between a linguistic form and its meaning, between the sounds that people use and the objects to which these sounds refer. Different language have different words for the same object. 椅--chair； 桌--table; 玫瑰--rose People might call a rose something else.