语言学复习资料(精编)

Chapter 1 Introduction

1.1 .1Definition of linguistics

Linguistics is the scientific study of language.

1.1.2 Scope of linguistics

The study of language as a whole is often called General Linguistics.

1.1.3 Some distinctions in linguistics

1) Prescriptive说明性vs. Descriptive描述性

Descriptive---- describe / analyze the language people actually use.

Prescriptive----lay down rules for “correct and standard ”behaviour in using language.

2)Synchronic 共时的vs. diachronic 历时的

Synchronic study---description of a language at some point of time (modern linguistics) Diachronic study---description of a language through time (historical development of language over a period of time)

Synchronic approach enjoys priority over a diachronic one.

3) Speech and writing

Speech----Primary medium of language

Writing----Later developed

Speech is prior to writing [5 reasons]

4). Langue and parole (F. de Saussure:1857--1913 )

Langue ---- the abstract linguistic system shared by all the members of a speech community Parole ---- the realization of langue in actual use.

Langue is abstract. Parole is concrete.

Langue is stable. Parole varies from person to person, and from situation to situation.

5). Competence 语言能力and performance语言运用(Chomsky)

Competence-----the ideal user’s knowledge of the rules of his language

Performance---- the actual realization of this knowledge in linguistic communication.

Q：Similarity and difference between Saussure’s distinction and that of Chomsky Similarity: both make the distinction between the abstract language system and the actual use of language.

Difference: Chomsky’s competence-performance is from psychological point of view. Saussure’s langue-parole is from sociological point of view.

6)Traditional grammar and modern linguistics

Q: What are the differences between traditional grammar and modern linguistics?

Firstly, linguistics is descriptive while traditional grammar is prescriptive.

Secondly, modern linguistics regards the spoken language as primary, not the written.

Modern linguistics differs from traditional grammar also in that it does not force languages into a Latin-based framework.

1.4 Definitions of language

Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication.

1.5 Design features of language

1)Arbitrariness: Generally there is no logical connection between meanings and sounds. The dog barks wow wow in English but “汪汪汪”in Chinese.

Ps:language is not arbitrary at compounding words and at the syntactic level.