语言学概论 总结

Part One

★Definition of language

★ ★ ★Design features of language ★ ★Functions of language Part Two

★ Definition of linguistics ★ ★The scope of linguistics

★ ★

★ Important distinctions in linguistics

1）Which of the following is NOT a distinctive feature of human language ? (2005) A. arbitrariness 任意性

B. productivity

C. cultural transmission

D. finiteness 有限性 2）The distinction between parole 言语and langue 语言was made by _____. (2006)

A. Halliday C. Saussure 索绪尔（瑞士语言学家）

B. Chomsky 乔姆斯基（美国语言学家，转换生成语法的创始人）

D. Bloomfield 布洛姆菲尔德（美国语言学家教育家） 考点：语言流派的主要代表人物、四对概念的区分。 3）Language is a tool of communication. The symbol “high way closed ” on a high way serves _____. (2010) A. an expressive function 表达功能 B. an informative function 信息功能 C. a performative function 行事/施为功能 D. a persuasive function 劝说功能

考点：语言的基本功能。信息功能、人际功能、施为功能、感情功能、寒暄功能、娱乐功能。其中最重要的是信息功能。 4）The function of the sentence "A nice day, isn't it?" is ___.

A. informative

B. phatic 寒暄功能

C. directive 指示功能

D. performative

P7-8

Language can be generally defined as a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication. 语言是人类用来交际的任意性的有声符号体系。 1） Language is a system.

Systematic ---- rule-governed 受规则制约的, elements in it are arranged according to certain rules ； can ’t be combined at will. E.g. *bkli ， *I apple eat.

2）Language is arbitrary.

Arbitrary ---- no intrinsic connection between the word and the thing it denotes 表示. E.g . “pen ” by any other name is the thing we use to write with. 3）Language is symbolic 符号的in nature. Symbolic ---- words are associated with objects, actions, ideas by convention 惯例. “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet ”----by Shakespeare 4）Language is primarily vocal.

Vocal ---- the primary medium 基本媒介is sound for all languages; writing system came much later than spoken form.

5）Language is human-specific. 语言是人类特有的 Human-specific ---- different from the communication systems other forms of life possess. E.g.

bird songs, bee dance, animal cries.

1） Arbitrariness 任意性

2） Productivity/Creativity 创造性 3） Duality 二重性 4） Displacement 移位性

5） Cultural transmission 文化传递性

1） Arbitrariness

◎----No logical (motivated 有积极性的or intrinsic 固有的) connection between sounds and meanings. ◎Some compound words are not entirely arbitrary , e.g. type-writer, shoe-maker, air-conditioner, photocopy …

⏹ Apes [e ɪp] gibber ['d ʒɪb ə].猴子唧唧叫 ⏹ Roosters crow. 公鸡喔喔叫 ⏹ Hens cluck. 母鸡咯咯嗒 ⏹ Chicks peep. 小鸡唧唧唧

⏹ Bulls bellow. Cows moo.老牛哞哞哞 ⏹ Ducks quack [kw æk].鸭子嘎嘎嘎 ⏹ Cats mew. 小猫喵喵叫 ⏹ Frogs croak.青蛙呱呱呱 ⏹ Goats bleat.小羊咩咩咩 ⏹ Pigs grunt. 小猪呼噜噜

⏹ Mice squeak [skwik]. 老鼠吱吱叫 ⏹ Dogs bark. 小狗汪汪叫

◎Animals make much the same sounds around the world, but each language expresses them differently. English and Chinese cows sound the same, but not in English and