语言学答案整理

Q1：Give an elaborate account of the evolution of the models of the spoken language structure

Language

Structure…..pragmatics……use

medium of transmission grammar meaning(semantics)

phonetics phonology morphology syntax semantics lexicon

In first level

One end is structure, the other use, and in the middle pragmatics.

Pragmatics is a branch of linguistics that deals with the meanings and effects that come from the use of language in particular situation.

Meaning intended---- what you want to say

Meaning realized---- what you actually say. If meaning realized matches meaning intended, you succeed in expressing your meaning.

The present model shows the complexity of the language. We can see from the model how many different levels can be set up to explain the way the spoken language structure is organized.

Q2：What do you know about the nature/characteristic of language?

1.purely human, for the possession of language distinguishes human beings from other animals.

2.systematic: meanings and sounds are linked into a system for the purpose of communication

and social interaction. The use of language is a patterned behavior. It‟s rule-governed.

3.spoken or written: 2 different channels of language

4.arbitrary and conventional: naming is arbitrary. The forms of linguistic signs bear no natural

relationship to their meaning. In any language there are certain sequences of sounds that have

a conventionally accepted meaning. Those words are customarily used by all speakers with

the same intended meaning and understood by all listeners in the same way.

5. a set of habits: like any other habits, it‟s easily formed in an early age and difficult to change.

plex, abstract and productive

Q3：How do we justify the position that all languages and corresponding all dialects are equally good?

Every language so far studied, no matter how …backward‟ or …uncivilized‟ the people speaking it, has proved on investigation to be a complex and highly developed system of communication. All languages and corresponding dialects are equally good, equally abstract, equally complex, equally productive and equally adequate to the communicative purposes. No language can be said to be …richer‟ than another: each is adapted to the characteristic pursuits of its users.

Q4：What are major functions of language. (举例子)

1.phatic function: language is used to establish or maintain social contacts and to express

sociability rather than specific meaning. You ask question for the sake of question. And the answer to the question is already known. Typical examples include greeting, farewell or comments on weather.

2: directive function: language is used to get the hearer to do something. Typical examples: the imperative sentence, would you please…, do you mind…

3: informative function: language is used to give or offer information. A typical example is the