英语语言学教程(胡壮麟版)

英语语言学教程（胡壮麟版）

Chapter one. Invitation to Linguistic.

1.What is language?

“Language is system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication. It is a system, since linguistic elements are arranged systematically, rather than randomly. Arbitrary, in the sense that there is usually no intrinsic connection between a work (like “book”) and the object it refers to. This explains and is explained by the fact that different languages have different “books”: “book” in English, “livre” in French, “shu” in Ch inese. It is symbolic, because words are associated with objects, actions, ideas etc. by nothing but convention. Namely, people use the sounds or vocal forms to symbolize what they wish to refer to. It is vocal, because sound or speech is the primary medium for all human languages. Writing systems came much later than the spoken forms. The fact that small children learn and can only learn to speak (and listen) before they write (and read) also indicates that language is primarily vocal, rather than written. The term “human” in the definition is meant to specify that language is human specific.

2.Design Features of Language.

“Design features” here refer to the defining properties of human language that tell the difference between human language and any system of animal communication. They are arbitrariness, duality, productivity, displacement, cultural transmission and interchangeability

(1)Arbitrariness: By “arbitrariness”, we mean there is no logical connection between meanings and

sounds.

(2)Duality: The property of having two levels of structures (phonological and grammatical), units of

the primary level being composed of elements of the secondary level and each level having its own principles of organization.

(3)Productivity: Productivity refers to the ability to the ability to construct and understand an

indefinitely large number of sentences in one’s native language, including those that has never heard before, but that are appropriate to the speaking situation. The property that enables native speakers to construct and understand an indefinitely large number of utterances, including utterances that they have never previously encountered.

(4)Displacement: “Displacement”, as one of the design features of the human language, refers to the

fact that one can talk about things that are not present, as easily as he does things present. In other words, one can refer to real and unreal things, things of the past, of the present, of the future. Language itself can be talked about too.

(5)Cultural transmission: This means that language is not biologically transmitted from generation

to generation, but that the details of the linguistic system must be learned anew by each speaker.

(6)Interchangeability: Interchangeability means that any human being can be both a producer and a

receiver of messages.

3.Functions of Language.

Language has at least seven functions: phatic, directive, Informative, interrogative, expressive, evocative and performative.

(1)Phatic function: The “phatic function” refers to language being used for setting up a certain

atmosphere or maintaining social contacts (rather than for exchanging information or ideas).

Greetings, farewells, and comments on the weather in English and on clothing in Chinese all serve this function.

(2)Directive function: The “directive function” means that language may be used to get the hearer