英语语言学导论

Chapter 1 Introduction介绍

1. 语言定义 What is language

Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human

communication.

First, language is a system, i.e. elements of language are combined according

to rules. This explains why “iblk” is not a possible sound combination in English,

and also why “Been he wounded has” is not a grammatically acceptable

sentence in English.

Second, language is arbitrary in the sense that there is no intrinsic connection

between a linguistic symbol and what the symbol stands for, for instance, between

the word “pen” and the thing we write with. Different languages have different

words for the same object. Words are just symbols. “A rose by any other name

would smell as sweet.” Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet”.

Third, language is vocal because the primary medium for all languages is

sound. All evidence points to the fact that writing systems came into being much

later than the spoken forms and that they are only attempts to capture sounds and

meaning on paper. The fact that children acquire spoken language before they can

read or write also indicates that language is primarily vocal.

2. 语言特征 Design Features of Language

Design features refer to the defining properties of human language that

distinguish it from any animal system of communication.

Charles Hockett (American) in 1960 : (5 of 13)

① Arbitrariness 任意性 : There is no logical connection between meanings

and sounds. (A good example is the fact that different sounds are used to refer to

the same object in different languages.) On the other hand, language is not

entirely arbitrary, such like onomatopoeic words and some compound words.

② Productivity 多产性 : Language is productive or creative in that it makes

possible the construction and interpretation of new signals by its users.

③ Duality 双重性 : Language is a system, which consists of two levels. The

basic level is a structure of sounds, and the higher level is the units of meaning.

④ Displacement 移位性 : Language can be used to refer to contexts

removed from the immediate situations of the speaker.

⑤ Cultural transmission 文化传承性 : Language is passed on from one

generation to the next through teaching and learning, rather than by instinct.

3. 语言功能 Function of Language

Three main functions : the descriptive function, the expressive function and

the social function.

① The descriptive function: also referred to differently as the cognitive, or

referential, or propositional function, is assumed to be the primary function of

language.

It is the function to convey factual information, which can be asserted or

denied, and in some cases even verified.

② The expressive function: also called the emotive or attitudinal function,

supplies information about the user’s feelings, preferences, prejudices, and values.

③ The social function: also referred to as the interpersonal function, serves

to establish and maintain social relations between people.

Roman Jakobson (Russian-born) :

He identifies six elements of a speech event and relates each one of them to

one specific language function.

① Addresser, Emotive 情感功能 The addresser expresses his attitude to the

topic or situation of communication.

② Addressee, Conative 意动功能 The addresser aims to influence the

addressee’s course of action or ways of thinking.

③ Context, Referential 信息功能 The addresser conveys a message of

information.

④ Message, Poetic 诗性功能 The addresser uses language for the sole

purpose of displaying the beauty of language itself.

⑤ Contact, Phatic communication 寒暄功能 The addresser tries to establish

or maintain good interpersonal relationship with the addressee.

⑥ nguistic 元语言，纯理功能 The addresser uses language to

make clear the meaning of language itself, e.g. “Let me tell you what the word

‘linguist’ means.”

M.A.K. Halliday (British) in the early 1970s :

He explored the functions of child language, and found that as a child grew

into an adult the 7 functions are gradually replaced by a more abstract system of

functions.

① Ideational 经验功能 : The ideational function is to organize the speaker or

writer’s experience of the real or imaginary world. It corresponds closely to the

descriptive function, but it is broader because it also includes the expression of the

speaker’s attitude, evaluation, his feelings and emotions.

② Interpersonal 人际功能 : The interpersonal function is to establish or

maintain social relationships between people.

③ Textual 语篇功能 : The textual function is to organize written or spoken

texts in such a manner that they are coherent within themselves and fit the

particular situation in which they are used.

4. 语言学定义 What is Linguistics

Linguistics is generally defined as the scientific study of language.

(Linguistics studies not any particular language, but it studies languages in

general.)

(It is a scientific study because it is based on the systematic investigation of

linguistic data, conducted with reference to some general theory of language

structure.)

5. 语言学范围 the scope of linguistics

Relatively independent branches within the area of linguistics, and also the

core of linguistics:

① Phonetics语音学 : The study of sounds used in linguistic communication.

② Phonology音位学: how sounds are put together and used to convey

meaning in communication.

③ Morphology形态学: The study of the way in which symbols are arranged

and combined to form words.

④ Syntax 句法学: the study of rules that govern the combination of words to

form grammatically permissible sentences in languages.

⑤ Semantics语义学 : In most general terms language is used to convey

meaning. The study of meaning is known as semantics.

⑥ Pragmatics语用学: Language communication does not occur in a vacuum,

it always occurs in a context. The study of meaning in the context of language use

is called pragmatics.

Interdisciplinary branches of linguistic study: sociolinguistics社会语言学

psycholinguistics 语言心理学

applied linguistics 应用语言学