Linguistics Linguistics

The second weekThe second week

Chapter 1 IntroductionChapter 1 Introduction

• 1.2 Language1.2 Language

Key pointsKey points

• 1.2.1 definition of language1.2.1 definition of language• 1.2.2 Origin of language1.2.2 Origin of language• 1.2.3 Design features of language1.2.3 Design features of language• 1.2.4 Functions of language1.2.4 Functions of language

Difficult points Difficult points

• 1. Design features of language1. Design features of language• 2. Functions of language2. Functions of language

Definition of languageDefinition of language

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

• Language is a system--------- elements in it are not arraLanguage is a system--------- elements in it are not arranged and combined randomly, but according to some nged and combined randomly, but according to some rules and principles.rules and principles.

• Language is arbitrary---------- there is no intrinsic connLanguage is arbitrary---------- there is no intrinsic connection between the word and the thing.ection between the word and the thing.

• Language is vocal--------- the primary medium for all laLanguage is vocal--------- the primary medium for all languages is sound.nguages is sound.

• Language is used for human communication--------- it iLanguage is used for human communication--------- it is human specific.s human specific.

1.2.2 Origin of language1.2.2 Origin of language• (1) Plato-------- there was a “perfect” language, which all human beings ere striv(1) Plato-------- there was a “perfect” language, which all human beings ere striv

ing to rediscover.ing to rediscover.• (2) God said: Let there be language.(2) God said: Let there be language.• (3) Socrates-------- imitation of natural sounds was the basis for the origin of langu(3) Socrates-------- imitation of natural sounds was the basis for the origin of langu

age.age.• (4)Some others-------- man’s instinctive response to certain external stimuli was (4)Some others-------- man’s instinctive response to certain external stimuli was

the basis for the birth of language.the basis for the birth of language.• (5) German scholar M. Muller---------- a mystic connection between sound and me(5) German scholar M. Muller---------- a mystic connection between sound and me

aning: Human speech developed from primitive man giving vocal expression to thaning: Human speech developed from primitive man giving vocal expression to the objects he encountered--------Ding-Dong Theory.e objects he encountered--------Ding-Dong Theory.

• (6) Jesperson--------- language developed from primitive ritual songs of prais(6) Jesperson--------- language developed from primitive ritual songs of praise------- the “Sing-Song Theory”.e------- the “Sing-Song Theory”.

• (7) L. H. Gray’s-------- traced language back to interjections, which express the sp(7) L. H. Gray’s-------- traced language back to interjections, which express the speaker’s emotions---------- “Exclamatoin” or “Interjectional”.eaker’s emotions---------- “Exclamatoin” or “Interjectional”.

• (8) Noire--------- explained the origin of speech in terms of the cries uttered------- (8) Noire--------- explained the origin of speech in terms of the cries uttered------- “Yo-He-Ho Theory”.“Yo-He-Ho Theory”.

• (9) R. Paget-------- from the combination of certain gestures and tongue movemen(9) R. Paget-------- from the combination of certain gestures and tongue movements------- “Ta-Ta Theory”ts------- “Ta-Ta Theory”

1.2.3 Design features of languag1.2.3 Design features of languagee • All human languages have certain charaAll human languages have certain chara

cteristics in common and linguists have icteristics in common and linguists have identified these characteristics as definindentified these characteristics as defining features of human language, which set g features of human language, which set human languages apart from animal cry human languages apart from animal cry systems, these features are called desigsystems, these features are called design features.n features.

American linguist C. F. Hockett American linguist C. F. Hockett

• ArbitrarinessArbitrariness•DualityDuality• ProductivityProductivity• Interchangeability Interchangeability •Displacement Displacement • Specialization Specialization • Cultural transmissionCultural transmission

Arbitrariness Arbitrariness

• There is no logical or intrinsic connectioThere is no logical or intrinsic connection between a particular sound and the mn between a particular sound and the meaning it is associated with.eaning it is associated with.

Duality Duality

• At one level are elements which have no At one level are elements which have no meaning in themselves but which combimeaning in themselves but which combine to form units at another level which dne to form units at another level which do have meaning.o have meaning.

• Each phoneme is normally meaningless Each phoneme is normally meaningless in isolation, in isolation, d, g, f, od, g, f, o, mean nothing sepa, mean nothing separately. rately.

Productivity Productivity

• (Creativity) Man’s linguistic ability whic(Creativity) Man’s linguistic ability which enables him to produce and understanh enables him to produce and understand an infinitely large number of sentenced an infinitely large number of sentences in our native language, including the ses in our native language, including the sentences which ere never heard before.ntences which ere never heard before.

Interchangeability Interchangeability

•Man can both produce and receive messMan can both produce and receive messages, and his roles as a speaker and a heages, and his roles as a speaker and a hearer can be exchanged at ease. arer can be exchanged at ease.

Displacement Displacement

• Enabling people to talk about things reEnabling people to talk about things remote either in space or in time. mote either in space or in time.

•Human beings can communicate about Human beings can communicate about things that re absent as easily as about tthings that re absent as easily as about things that are present. hings that are present.

•Man can talk about events, locations, anMan can talk about events, locations, and objects which are far removed from thd objects which are far removed from the present time and context. e present time and context.

Specialization Specialization

•Man does not have a total physical involMan does not have a total physical involvement in the act of communication. We vement in the act of communication. We use it in a detached manner. use it in a detached manner.

Cultural transmission Cultural transmission

• Language is culturally transmitted. It caLanguage is culturally transmitted. It cannot be transmitted through heredity. nnot be transmitted through heredity.

• Animals transmit their cries through herAnimals transmit their cries through heredity. edity.

•What language the baby is going to speaWhat language the baby is going to speak is determined by the culture he is born k is determined by the culture he is born into. into.

1.2.4 Functions of language1.2.4 Functions of language

• (1) phatic function(1) phatic function• (2) directive function(2) directive function• (3) informative function (3) informative function • (4) interrogative function(4) interrogative function• (5) expressive function(5) expressive function• (6) evocative function(6) evocative function• (7) performative function(7) performative function

Functions of languageFunctions of language

• (1) phatic function-------- language is used to est(1) phatic function-------- language is used to establish an atmosphere or maintain social contacablish an atmosphere or maintain social contact between the speaker and the hearer. Greetingt between the speaker and the hearer. Greetings, farewells, and comments on the weather servs, farewells, and comments on the weather serve this function.e this function.

• (2) directive function------- language is used to g(2) directive function------- language is used to get the hearer to do sth.et the hearer to do sth.

• (3) informative function: language is used to tell (3) informative function: language is used to tell sth., to give information, or to reason things out.sth., to give information, or to reason things out.

Functions of languageFunctions of language

• (4) interrogative function------- language is use(4) interrogative function------- language is used to ask for information from others.d to ask for information from others.

• (5) expressive function--------- language is used (5) expressive function--------- language is used to reveal the speaker’s attitudes and feelings.to reveal the speaker’s attitudes and feelings.

• (6) evocative function-------- language is used t(6) evocative function-------- language is used to create certain feelings in the hearers.o create certain feelings in the hearers.

• (7) performative function-------language is use(7) performative function-------language is used to do things or to perform acts.d to do things or to perform acts.

Assignments Assignments

• 1. Definitions: (1) Language (2) Arbitrari1. Definitions: (1) Language (2) Arbitrariness (3) Duality ness (3) Duality

• 2. What are the design features of langu2. What are the design features of language?age?

• 3. What are the functions of language?3. What are the functions of language?