语言学考试要点(考试重点整理)

Chapter 1 Introduction

1.What is linguistics? Linguistics is generally defined as the scientific study of language.

2.The scope of linguistics:

(1 ). phonetics 语音学；phonology 音位学；morphology 形态学；syntax 句法学；pragmatics

语用学

(2). sociolinguistics 社会语言学；psycholinguistics 心理语言学；

applied linguistics 应用语言学

3.Some important distinction in linguistics

(1)Descriptive vs. prescriptive 描述性与规定性

①If a linguistics study aims to describe and analyze the language people actually use,

it is said to be descriptive;

②If the linguistics study aims to lay down rules for ” correct and standard” behavior

in using language, i.e. to tell people what they should say and what they should not

say, it is said to be prescriptive.

(2)Synchronic vs. diachronic 共时性与历时性

① A synchronic description takes a fixed instant (usually, but not necessarily, the

present) as its point of observation. Most grammars are of this kind.

②Diachronic linguistics is the study of a language through the course of its history.

(2) Langue & parole 语言与会话

①Language refers to the abstract linguistic system shared by all the members of a speech

community.

②Parole refers to the realization of language in actual use.

(4)Competence and performance 语言能力与语言运用

① A language user's unconscious knowledge about the system of rules is called his

linguistic competence.

②Performance refers to the actual use of language in concrete situations.

(5)speech and writing 语言与文字

Speech and writing are the two major media of communication.

(6)traditional grammar and modern linguistic 传统语法与现代语言学

4.Definition of language:

Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication.

Language is a system, i.e., elements of language are combined according to rules.

Language is arbitrary in the sense that there is no intrinsic connection between a linguistics symbol and what the symbol stands.

Language is vocal because the primary medium for all languages is sound. The term “ human ”

in the definition is meant to specify that language is hu-mspaencific.

5.Design features of language

6.(1) Arbitrariness 任意性refers to the forms of linguistic signs bear no natural relationship

to their meaning. (sounds and meanings)

(2) Productivity(creativity) 能产性Language is productive in that it makes possible the

construction and interpretation of new signals by its users.

(3)duality 双重性The property of having two levels of structures, such that units of the primary level are composed of elements of the secondary level and each of the two levels has its own