1、A Course on Linguistics for Students of English 新编语言学教程,The Goals for this Course,To get a scientific view on language; To understand some basic theories on linguistics; To understand the applications of the linguistic theories, especially in the fields of language teaching To prepare for the future
2、 research work.,The Requirements for this course,Class attendance Classroom discussion Fulfillment of the assignment Examination,Reference Books,刘润清，文旭，(2006)，新编语言学教程，外语教学与研究出版社。胡壮麟，(2001)，语言学教程，北京大学出版社。胡壮麟，姜望琪，(2002)，语言学高级教程，北京大学出版社。 胡壮麟， (2002)，语言学教程（修订版中译本），北京大学出版 刘润清，(1995)，西方语言学流派，外语教学与研究出版社。 胡
3、明扬，（1988），西方语言学名著选读，中国人民大学 出版社,Chapter 1. Introduction 1.1 Linguistics 1.2 Language 1.3 Some Major Concepts in Linguistics,1.1.1 Definition of linguistics,Definition of linguistics -Linguistics is the scientific study of language. 语言学常被定义为一门关于语言的科学或对语言的科学研究。-A person who studies linguistics is known
4、 as a linguist.,Four principles of linguistic studies,Exhaustiveness/adequacy Consistency Economy Objectivity,1.1.2 Linguistics versus traditional grammar,Traditional grammar - prescriptive, written, Latin-based framework 规定性的、书面语的，放进一个拉丁语为基础的框架内Modern linguistics - descriptive, spoken, not necessar
5、ily Latin-based framework 描述性的、口头语的，不强行放进一个拉丁语为基础的框架内,1.1.3 Use of studying linguistics,Applied linguistics-linguistics and language teaching Sociolinguistics- social factors (e.g. class, education) affect language use Psycholinguistics-linguistic behavior and psychological process Stylistics-lingui
6、stic and literature,Some other applications,Anthropological linguistics 人类语言学Neurolinguistics 神经语言学Computational linguistics (e.g. machine translation) 计算语言学,1.1.4 The scope or major branches of linguistics,Theoretical linguistics Phonetics 语音学 Phonology 音系学 Morphology形态学 Syntax 句法学 Semantics 语义学Use
7、 of linguistics Applied linguistics 应用语言学 Sociolinguistics 社会语言学 Psycholinguistics 心理语言学,Theoretical linguistics,Phonetics-speech sound (description, classification, transcription): articulatory phonetics, acoustic phonetics, auditory phonetics. Phonology-sound patterns of languages Morphology-the f
8、orm of words Syntax-the rules governing the combination of words into sentence. Semantics-the meaning of language (when the meaning of language is conducted in the context of language use-Pragmatics),1.2 Language,1.2.1 Definition of language 1.2.2 Origin of language 1.2.3 Design features of language
9、 1.2.4 Functions of language,1.2.1 Language can mean,what a person says (e.g. bad language, expressions) the way of speaking or writing (e.g. Shakespeares language, Luxuns language) a particular variety or level of speech or writing (e.g. language for special purpose, colloquial language) the abstra
10、ct system underlying the totality of the speech/writing behavior of a community (e.g. Chinese language, first language) the common features of all human languages (e.g. He studies language) a tool for human communication. (social function) a set of rules. (rule-governed),Language can be generally de
11、fined as,a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication. 语言是一个具有任意性用于人类交流的语音符号系统,Language is a system,Systematic- rule-governed, elements in it are arranged according to certain rules; cant be combined at will. e.g. *bkli, *I apple eat. 语言是一个系统，语言的要素是根据规则组合在一起的。,Language is arbitra
12、ry,Arbitrary- no intrinsic connection between the word and the thing it denotes, e.g. “pen” by any other name is the thing we use to write with. 语言符号和符号所代表的事物之间没有内在的必然的联系,Language is symbolic in nature,Symbolic- words are associated with objects, actions ideas by convention. “A rose by any other nam
13、e would smell as sweet”-Shakespeare 象征性词语只是符号，它们通过习惯与物体、动作和概念联系起来。,Language is primarily vocal,Vocal- the primary medium is sound for all languages; writing system came much later than spoken form. 语言是有声的，因为所有语言的首要媒介都是声音,Language is human-specific,Human-specific- different from the communication sys
14、tems other forms of life possess, e.g. bird songs, bee dance, animal cries. 语言是人类独有的，有别于其他生物的交际系统,1.2.2 The origin of language,The divine-origin theory- Language is a gift of God to mankind. The invention theory- imitative, cries of nature, the grunts of men working together. The evolutionary theory
15、- the result of physical and psychological development.,许国璋先生认为把语言定义成交际工具不够科学,至少不够严谨.他对语言的定义做了如下概括:语言是一种符号系统.,当它作用于人与人之间的关系的时候,它是表达相互反应的中介;当它作用于人与客观世界的关系的时候,它是认知事物的工具;当它作用于文化的时候,它是文化的载体.,1.2.3 The design/defining features of human language 语言本质特征,Arbitrariness 任意性 Duality 二重性 Productivity/Creativity
16、 创造性 Interchangeability 互换性 Displacement 移位性 Specialization 专门化 Cultural Transmission文化传递性,Arbitrariness,-No logical (motivated or intrinsic) connection between sounds and meanings.语言符号的形式和意义间没有自然的联系Exception: Onomatopoeic words 象声词(which imitate natural sounds) are somewhat motivated ( English: rum
17、ble, crackle, bang, . Chinese: putong, shasha, dingdang ),Duality (double articulation),Lower level-sounds (meaningless) Higher level-meaning (larger units of meaning) A communication system with duality is considered more flexible than one without it, for a far greater number of messages can be sen
18、t. A small number of sounds can be grouped and regrouped into a large number of units of meaning (words), and the units of meaning can be arranged and rearranged into an infinite number of sentences. 有两个结构层次，上层结构的单位是由底层结构的元素组成的。二重性使得人类语言具有巨大的能动性，仅用为数不多的几个元素就可以创造出大量不同的单位。,Productivity/creativity,-Pec
19、uliar to human languages，users of language can understand and produce sentences they have never heard before, e.g. we can understand sentence like “ A red-eyed elephant is dancing on the hotel bed”, though it does not describe a common happening in the world.语言的二重性使得说话人仅用基础的语言单位就可创造出无限多的句子，其中大部分说话人可
20、能没有听过也没有说过。这一特征也使人类语言不同于动物它们只能传递一些有限的信息。,Interchangeability 互换性,Interchangeability or reciprocity refers to the fact that man can both produce and receive messages, and his roles as a speaker and a hearer can be exchanged at ease.,Displacement,-Language can be used to refer to things, which are not
21、present: real or imagined matters in the past, present or future, or in far-away places. 移位性是指语言使用者可以用语言表达不在交际现场（时间和空间）的物体、事件及概念。例如，我们可以谈论孔夫子或者北极，尽管孔夫子是四千多年前的人物而北极也遥不可及。,Specialization,It refers to the fact that man does not have a total physical involvement in the act of communication.,Cultural tra
22、nsmission,-Language is culturally transmitted (through teaching and learning; rather than by instinct).Animal call systems are genetically transmitted. All cats, gibbons and bees have systems which are almost identical to those of all other cats, gibbons and bees.A Chinese speaker and an English spe
23、aker are not mutually intelligible. This shows that language is culturally transmitted. That is, it is pass on from one generation to the next by teaching and learning, rather than by instinct.The story of a wolf child, a pig child shows that a human being brought up in isolation simply does not acq
24、uire human language.,1.2.4 Functions of language,Phatic function/communion: establishing an atmosphere or maintaining social contact. 寒暄功能 Directive function: to get the hearer to do sth.指令功能 Informative function: give information about facts. 信息功能 Interrogative function:to ask information from othe
25、rs疑问功能 Expressive function: express feelings and attitudes of the speaker. 表达功能 Evocative function：to create certain feelings in the hearers情感功能 Performative function : language is used to do things, to perform actions. 施为功能,1.3 Some important distinctions in linguistics 语言学中的一些重要区分,1.3.1 Descriptiv
26、e vs prescriptive 描写与规定,Do/Dont say X.People do/dont say X. Descriptive - describe/analyze linguistic facts observed or language people actually use (modern linguistic)描写和分析人们对语言的实际运用 Prescriptive -lay down rules for “correct” linguistic behavior in using language (traditional grammar)为语言正确和规范的使用确立规
27、则,1.3.2 Synchronic vs diachronic 共时与历时,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),Speech vs writing 言语与文字,Speech - primary medium of languag
28、eWriting - later developed,1.3.3 Langue vs parole (F. de Saussure) 语言与言语,Langue - the abstract linguistic system shared by all members of the speech community.一个话语社团所有成员共有的抽象的语言系统Parole - the realization of langue in actual use.语言在实际运用中的实现Saussure takes a sociological view of language and his notion
29、 of langue is a matter of social conventions.(Aspects of the Theory of Syntax 句法理论的若干问题),1.3.4 Competence and performance (Chomsky) 语言能力和语言应用,Competence - the ideal users knowledge of the rules of his language 理想的语言使用者关于语言规则方面的知识Performance - the actual realization of this knowledge in linguistic co
30、mmunication 这种知识在语言交流中的具体实现Chomsky looks at language from a psychological point of view and to him competence is a property of the mind of each individual.,1.3.5 Syntagmatic vs Paradigmatic relations 横组合关系和纵组合关系,Saussure Syntagmatic relation refers to the horizontal relationship between linguistic e
31、lements and forms linear sequences. Paradigmatic relations refers to vertical relationship between forms and occupies the same particular place in a structure.,1.3.6 Functionalism vs Formalism 功能主义 vs 形式主义,Functionalism or functional linguistics refers to the study of the forms of language in reference to their social function in communication. Formalism or formal linguistics is the study of the abstract forms of language and their internal relations.,
