英語语言学期末复习宝典.doc

Linguistics Chapter 1 Language and Linguistics Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication. Features of language: displacement, arbitrariness, productivity/creativity, cultural transmission, duality, discreteness不连续性 ★The nature of language: 考论述 ①language is systematic. In natural verbal communication, people can learn and use a language consistently. This shows that language is systematic. This property is usually claimed to be unique to humans.②language is symbolic. As we know, people use signs to communicate, which means that language involves signs. The conception of sign through has evolved through a long history of philosophical discussions, dating to the Middle Age.③language is arbitrary. (convention) Arbitrariness does not mean that everything about language is unpredictable. The forms of linguistic signs bear no natural resemblance to their meaning.④language is primarily vocal. All languages use sounds. Children learn to speak before they learn to read and write; children automatically learn a language as they grow up; the spoken form came earlier than the written in human history; writing is based on speech; people use spoken language more often than writing⑤language is human specific. There are certain characteristics of human language that are not found in the communication systems of any other species. Although most animals are assumed to communicate in some way, they convey limited information and only express emotions such as fear and warnings.⑥language is used for communication. Language is the result of our communicative needs. Its attractiveness comes from its social utility. Language enables us to communicate our general attitudes toward life and others. language is systematic Each human language is organized into two basic systems, a system of sounds and a system of meanings. This is called the duality of language. Linguistics is concerned not only with characteristics of the two systems but also with their rel