1、English Linguistics:An Introduction,英语语言学概论 (王永强 支永碧),Introduction,1. This course does not teach language but what language is. 2 It helps you understand the nature and function of language,helps use how to use language; write thesis. 3. There are a lot of terms(术语) and new words. 4. The book is har
2、d and requires lots of efforts from learners.(cha1-cha4),Chapter One language,1 What is language? 2 What are the features of language? 3 What are the functions of language?,The definition of language,Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication. System: sound,words, r
3、ules,meanings Arbitrary(任意的):no logical or intrinsic connection; homophone(同形意义词 see/sea, to /too), synonym(同义词, beautiful, pretty),Vocal(声音的): speech/writing: Lg is primarily speech, secondarily writing: speech is use more earlier, often and learned earlier by children Symbol: words are symbols fix
4、ed by convention, Lg is conventional; “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” by Shakespeare.,Human: Lg is unique to human while animal communication is quite limited, can not talk about sth remote in place and time. Communication: the main function of Lg. Lg : system of arbitrary vocal symb
5、ols for human commnication.,1.2 Design features of Lg,Design features or the defining properties(定义特征): 1 Productivity or Creativity(能产性,创造性): the ability that people have in making and understanding indefinitely large number of sentences, including new, recursiveness(梯归性) 2, Discreteness: Each soun
6、d is meaningfully distinct and specific,Separated: put/but; fit/hit; book/boot 3 displacement(位移性): Lg can be used to talk about things that is remote in place and time. 4, Arbitrariness: no motivated(理据) iconic(象似性), logic, natural relation between form and meaning.Even onomatopoeic words is Lg spe
7、cific: bang, quackquack, cuckoo,5 Cultural transmission(文化传递): Lg is passed on from one generation to another by teaching and learning, rather than inheritance(遗传). LAD(Language Acquisition Device)(语言习得机制): the ability that enables children to learn any Lg exposed to them.,6. Duality or double artic
8、ulation(双重结构,表达): sound level and meaningful level, each has its own rules of combination and organization. (colourless green ideas sleep furiously). 7. Interchangeability(互换性): each speaker can be both the producer and receiver of messages; listener and speaker.,Summary: productivity; discreteness;
9、 displacement; arbitrariness; cultural transmission; duality or double articulation and interchangeability.Note: productivity; discreteness; displacement; arbitrariness; duality or double articulation,Functions of language,Lg is a tool of human communication; tool of learning about the world, tool o
10、f creating art (Wang Gang) The seven functions for children by M.A.K. Halliday: 1 Instrumental: get things done: pass me the salt, I name this ship Liberty Bell, I pronounce you husband and wife; 我宣布奥运会开幕,2，regulatory(调节功能）：regulate the behaviours and encounters among people. 3, representational(表征）
11、：represent knowledge about the world. 4, Interactional(互动）：establish and maintain social contacts and relations; phatic communion(寒暄仪式，客套话）：how do you do, 吃过了吗？,5 personal(个人）：express individuals feelings, emotions and personality. 6, heuristic(启发): Lg is used for acquire(获得）knowledge and understand
12、ing of the world.学习一种语言就是学习一种文化，世界观.外语/历史中文；日语/法语 7， imaginative(想象): create imaginary world or system, daydream.,In sum: instrumental, regulatory,representational,interactional, personal, heuristic, imaginative According to Halliday: the main functions are: ideational function(概念功能）Interpersonal function(人际功能） texual function(语篇功能）,
