完整word版语言学考试要点考试重点整理

Chapter 1 Introduction

Linguistics is generally defined as the scientific study of language. ； phonology 音位学； morphology 形态学； syntax 句法学；

(2) . sociolinguistics 社会语言学； psycholinguistics 心理语言学；

applied linguistics 应用语言学

Some important distinction in linguistics

(1) Descriptive vs. prescriptive 描述性与规定性 ① If a linguistics study aims to describe and analyze the language people actually use,

it is said to be descriptive;

② If the linguistics study aims to lay down rules for ”correct and standard ”behavior

in using language, i.e. to tell people what they should say and what they should not

say, it is said to be prescriptive.

(2) Synchronic vs. diachronic 共时性与历时性

① A synchronic description takes a fixed instant (usually, but not necessarily, the

present) as its point of observation. Most grammars are of this kind.

② Diachronic linguistics is the study of a language through the course of its history.

(2) Langue & parole 语言与会话

① Language refers to the abstract linguistic system shared by all the members of a

speech community.

② P arole refers to the realization of language in actual use.

(4) Competence and performance 语言能力与语言运用

①A language user's unconsciousknowledge about the system of rules is called his

linguistic competence.

② P erformance refers to the actual use of language in concrete situations.

(5) speech and writing 语言与文字

Speech and writing are the two major media of communication.

(6) traditional grammar and modern linguistic 传统语法与现代语言学

Definition of language:

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

Language is a system, i.e., elements of language are combined according to rules.

Language is arbitrary in the sense that there is no intrinsic connection between a linguistics symbol and what the symbol stands.

Language is vocal because the primary medium for all languages is sound.

The term “ human ” in the definition is meant to specify that language is hum-asnpecific. Design features of language

(1) Arbitrariness 任意性 refers to the forms of linguistic signs bear no natural relationship

to their meaning. (sounds and meanings)

(2) Productivity(creativity) 能产性 Language is productive in that it makes possible the construction and interpretation of new signals by its users.

(3) duality 双重性 The property of having two levels of structures, such that units of the

1. 2. What is linguistics?

The scope of

linguistics:

(1 ). phonetics 语音学

3. 4. 5. 6.