语言学概论 - 图文

语言学讲义

Chapter 1 Invitations to Linguistics

I. The definition of language

Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication. This definition has revealed five essential factors of language: systematic, arbitrary, vocal, symbolic and most importantly human specific. To give the briefest definition, language is a means of verbal communication.

Language distinguishes us from animals because it is far more sophisticated than any animal communication system.

II. The Design features of language (语言的 区别性特征)

Design features refer to the defining properties of

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语言学讲义

human languages that distinguish it from any animal system of communication. A framework was proposed by the American linguist Charles Hockett.

1.Arbitrariness (任意性)

The widely accepted meaning of this feature which was discussed by Saussure（索绪尔） first refers to the fact that the forms of linguistic signs bear no natural relationship to their meaning.

It is the core feature (核心特征) of language, which refers to the fact that there is no logical or intrinsic connection between a particular sound and the meaning it is associated with. It is not entirely arbitrary at all levels. Some words, such as the ones created in the imitation of sounds by sounds are motivated in a certain degree.

其他书表述：Language is arbitrary. This means

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语言学讲义

that there is no logical relationship between meanings and sounds. While language is arbitrary by nature, it is not entirely arbitrary. The arbitrary nature of language is a sign of sophistication and it makes it possible for language to have an unlimited source of expressions.

2. Duality (二重性)

Duality refers to 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 two levels has its own principles of organization. The property of duality only exists in such a system, namely, with both elements (e.g. sounds, letters) and

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语言学讲义

units (e.g. words).

其他书表述：

Language is a system, which consists of two sets of structures, or two levels. At the lower or the basic level there is a structure of sounds, which is meaningless.

Each human language is organized into two basic systems: a system of sounds and a system of meanings. This is called the duality of language.

3.Creativity (创造性)

Creativity, sometimes also “productivity”, means language is resourceful because of its duality and its recursiveness, which enables human beings to produce and understand an infinitely large number of sentences

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语言学讲义

in our native language, including the sentences which were never heard before.

Also called design features (C. F.Hockett, A Course in Modern Linguistics, 1958)

4.Displacement（移位性）

Displacement means that human languages enable their users to symbolize objects, events and concepts which are not present (in time and space) at the moment of communication. Displacement benefits human beings by giving them the power to handle generalizations and abstractions.

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