英语语言学Chapter 1 Invitation to Linguistics.pptVIP

Linguistics Chapter 1 Invitation to Linguistics Why study linguistics? 1. Definition of language 2. Design features of language 3. Origin of Language 4. Functions of language 5. Definition of Linguistics 6. Main branches of Linguistics 7. Macrolinguistics 8. Important distinctions in linguistics 1. Definition of language Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication. 2. Design features of language Design features refer to the defining properties of human language that distinguish it from any animal system of communication. Arbitrariness Duality Creativity Displacement Arbitrariness It means that there is no logical connection between meanings and sounds. Duality It means that language is a system, which consists of two levels of structures, at the lower level there is the structure of sounds; at the higher level there is the structure of words. Creativity Language is productive in that users can understand and produce novel sentences that they have never heard before. Displacement Language can be used to refer to things that are not present; real or imagined matters in the past, present, or future or in faraway places. 3. Origin of Language The bow-wow theory The pooh-pooh theory The “yo-he-yo” theory The bow-wow theory In primitive times people imitated the sounds of the animal calls in the wild environment they live and speech developed from that. The pooh-pooh theory In the hard life of our primitive ancestors, they utter instinctive sounds of pain, anger and joy. The “yo-he-yo” theory As primitive people worked together, they produced some rhythmic grunts which gradually developed into chants and then into languages. 4. Functions of language Informative function Interpersonal function Performative function Emotive function Phatic function Recreational function Metalingual function Informative function Language serves an informative function when it is used to tell what the speak