27037本科自考英语语言学概论精心整理-Chapter-One---language.docVIP

English Linguistics:An Introduction 英语语言学概论 (王永强 支永碧) 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.语言是用于人类交际的任意性的发音的符号系统。 First ，language is a system: sound ,words, rules, meanings Elements of language are combined according to rules. Every language contains a set of rules. By system ，we mean the recurring patterns or arrangement or the particular ways or designs in which a language operates. The sounds and the words which form sentences are used in fixed patterns that speakers of a language can understand each other. It is because every language has its system that it conveys the same meaning to its speakers. 语言的元素组合根据规则。每一种语言包含一组规则。通过系统中,即我们所指的语言运用中反复出现的模式或安排或特定的方式或识别。组成句子的声音和单词是用于固定模式,某种语言的人可以相互理解。也就是说因为每一种语言都有其系统,它传达了使用者的相同含义。 Arbitrary(任意的):no logical or intrinsic connection（无逻辑的固有的联系）; homophone(同形异义词 see/sea, to /too), synonym(同义词, beautiful, pretty) Symbol: words are symbols fixed by convention, Lg is conventional（单词是按惯例固定的符号，语言是约定俗成的）; “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” by Shakespeare. Vocal(声音的): speech/writing: Lg is primarily vocal, secondly writing: the fact that children acquire spoken language before they are able to read or write .儿童在读写前先学会讲话。 Human: Lg is possessed only by human beings .systems of animal communication can only indicate simple things such as source of food and express simple emotions such anger or happiness， but human language can express very complex ideas such as theory devising and hypothesis making.语言只有人类具有，动物的交流体系只能表示简单事物和情感，但是人类语言可以表达非常复杂的想法比如理论发明和做假设。 Communication: language is a unique system of communication. it is the cement of society. It allows people to live，work and play together ，to tell the truth or to tell lies. 语言是一种独特的交流系统，是社会的巩固。它可以…. 1.2 Design features of human Lg（识别性特征） Design features refer to以下都省略这个词the defining propert