语言学第一章课件语言学第一章件.doc

Linguistics Why study linguistics? Linguistics is the scientific study of language. (Lyons,1968). the process of linguistic study 1st : Observing questioning 2nd: Formulating hypotheses 3rd: Verifying the hypotheses 4th: Proposing a theory Four principles in linguistics study: exhaustiveness consistency economy objectivity (大连外语考研) Language and Linguistics Linguistics: a brilliant and fascinating exploration of the basic weapon by which man has advanced from savagery to civilization. -----Mario Pei马里奥·佩 “We sometimes overlook the fact that there is much that we can know and need to know about our universe and ourselves. By the same token, we are too prone to reject knowledge for which we cannot find an immediate practical application.” Chapter 1 When we study human language, we are approaching what some might call the “human essence”, the distinctive qualities of mind that are, so far as we know, unique to man. (Noam Chomsky, 1972, Language and Mind) 乔姆斯基（Noam Chomsky, 1928--） “Chomsky is currently among the most-cited writers in all of the humanities (behind only Marx, Lenin, Shakespeare, Aristotle, Plato, and Freud) and the only living number of the top ten.” (Pinker,1994) 1. What is Language? Definitions of Language: Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication. Key words: Language as system Sound Phonetics发音学 Phonology 音韵学 Structure morphology 形态学 Syntax 句法学 meaning Semantics语义学 Pragmatics 语用学 Definitions of Language: Language is a means of verbal communication. It is instrumental; it is social and conventional.(P3) Origin of language The ‘Divine’ origin: The “bow-wow” theory “汪汪理论” Imitation of the sounds of the animal OnomatopoeicProblematic (P9) The “pooh-pooh” theory噗噗理论 instinctive sounds of pain, anger and joy. interjections Problematic (P9) The “yo-he-ho” theory “哟-嗬-哟理论”rhythmic grunts Problematic (P9) 3. De