Chapter 1Introduction

Introduction to Linguistics

Instructor: Wen Xu

School of Foreign Languages, Southwest University

Overview of Chapter 1

1. Course Guide 1.1 How far is linguistics away from

us? 1.2 Why linguistics? 1.3 Course requirement and

assessment 1.4 Hints on how to learn2. What is language? 2.1 A definition 2.2 Design features of language 2.3 Functions of language

Overview of Chapter 1

3. Scopes of linguistics 3.1 What makes linguistics a

science? 3.2 Micro-linguistics 3.3 Macro-linguistics4. Basic distinctions in linguistics 4.1 Descriptive vs prescriptive 4.2 Speech vs writing 4.3 Langue vs parole 4.4 Competence vs performance 4.5 Synchronic vs diachronic

Warming-up Discussions for Part 1

Example 1 我们还见不见面呢？ 我们什么时候再见呢？ 我们明天什么时候再见呢？Example 2 A: 刚才和我跳舞的那位跳得太好啦！是你们单位的吗？

B: 是的。他妻子跳得更好呢！

How far is linguistics away from us?

1) The ability to use language distinguishes human beings from animals.

The study of language can provide insight into “human nature”. It studies how we acquire language and how it is possible for us to perceive through language. It will also examine the relationships between language and thought, language and logic and language and culture.

How far is linguistics away from us?

2) Now that language serves in part as the essential tool for human communication, a little knowledge about the nature of language and the role it plays in our life will make us better language users.

How far is linguistics away from us?

3) Some knowledge about the nature of language and particularly about language acquisition will make language learning more efficient.

The priority of listening and speaking over reading and writing

Learning a language through using it

How far is linguistics away from us?

4) A teacher of foreign languages will definitely benefit a great deal from some knowledge of linguistics.

How learner’s errors should be treated

How each level of the language system is related to other levels

The development of language teaching theories is closely related with and heavily dependent on the development of linguistic research.

(Communicative approach; student-centeredness)

How far is linguistics away from us?

5) Linguistics is becoming more and more inter-disciplinary, which means that it draws on the findings of other disciplines while it also sheds light on their research. i.e.,

In the field of medicine, linguistic knowledge has proven to be extremely useful in studying the human brain (neurolinguistics, which typically studies the disturbances of language comprehension and production caused by the damage of certain areas of the brain).

The quest for the “perfect” word processor and speech recognition technology means that linguists are in high demand in the field of computer technology (Computational Linguistics).

How far is linguistics away from us?

Conclusion: Linguistics is very close to us.

It is real, enlightening, and closely related to our understanding of language and to our learning and teaching as well as our use of language.

Linguistics can be interesting.

Why Linguistics?

First, informed people ought to know at least something about modern science. It is helpful and necessary for English majors, as language learners or would-be language teachers, to know some basic linguistic knowledge.

Why Linguistics?

Second, linguists’ modes of thought are generalizable and can inform other studies. Particularly, learning linguistics can help improve your logical and dialectical thinking. How can we approach an object scientifically? Principles (the three canons of science): (i) exhaustiveness; (ii) consistency; (iii) economy. Methodology ： Prescriptive or descriptive Levels of study: Observation ， description ， explanation

Why Linguistics?

Third, language plays a central role in our lives as individuals and social beings. Unaware of the nature and mechanism of our language, we will be ignorant of what constitutes our essential humanity. Linguistics directly or indirectly says much about human nature that we ought all to be interested in.

Course Requirement and assessment

1) Our textbook is so informative that in this introductory course we can not cover all the topics in it; you will find that much of the textbook is left without any touch. Self-taught study is very important.

2) Extra notes are provided for each chapter; you may read these before, after, or while you read the relevant sections in your textbook. All of these are designed to help you to master the material from the chapter and to prepare you for the final.

3) Homework should be finished in time; classroom group work is essential. Class participation and performance in class and assignment will take up 50% of the total score, final exam taking up the other 50%.

Hints on how to learn1) Reading questions will be given before

each class so as to help students extract the necessary and useful information from the text as you go along.

2) You are suggested to look over the reading questions for each section of the text before you read that section. After you have read the text, read the outline I make of the main points of the chapter. Then, look again at the reading questions and make sure that you can answer them before you go on to the next section.

What is language?Does the word language mean the

same in the following set of expressions?

“the language of music” “bad language”

“Mark Twain’s language” “body language”

What is language?A generally acceptable definition(According to the important features

of languages that most linguists agree on)

Language is a system of arbitrary

vocal symbols used for human communication.

Design features of language Arbitrariness Duality Productivity (creativity) Interchangeability Displacement Specialization Cultural transmission

Functions of language Phatic function/communion Directive function Informative function Interrogative function Performative function Evocative function Expressive function Metalingual function

Scope of linguisticsWarming-up question:What should or can we study about

language?

Sound Form Meaning

Micro-linguisticsBranches concerning language itselfThe study of speech sounds ( 音 ) ：

phonetics & phonology ；The study of language form ( 形 ) ：

morphology (word form) & syntax (sentence structure);

The study of meaning ( 义 ): semantics & pragmatics

Microlinguistics: fields of enquiry purely about language itself; also called the core branches of linguistics

Macro-linguisticsInterdisciplinary branches of linguistics Language can be also studied in relation with

something else, resulting in many interdisciplinary branches which overlap with anthropology, communication, foreign language teaching and learning, psychology, or sociology. Here are some of those subfields:

Sociolinguistics (the study of language in relation to society);

Computational linguistics (a branch of study dealing with computer processing of human language);

Applied linguistics (the study of second and foreign language teaching and learning, which employs the theories and findings of linguistics)

Global view of branches of linguistics

Basic distinctions in linguistics

Prescriptive vs. descriptive studiesLangue vs. paroleCompetence vs. performanceSpeech vs. writing Diachronic vs. synchronic studiesSyntagmatic vs. paradigmatic relationsFunctionalism vs. formalism

Linguistics vs. traditional grammar

First, linguistics is descriptive, while traditional grammar is prescriptive. Linguistics describes languages as they are and does not lay down rules of correctness; traditional grammar emphasizes such matters as correctness and aims to prescribe what is right.

Second, linguistics regards the spoken language as primary, not the written.

Linguistics vs. traditional grammar

Third, traditional grammar is based on Latin and it tries to impose the Latin categories and structures on other languages (Latin patterns and categories, especially its case system and tense divisions of past, present and future), while linguistics describes each language on its own merits.

Linguists are opposed to the notion that any one language can provide an adequate framework for the others. They are trying to set up a universal framework, but that will be based on the features shared by most of the languages used by mankind.

(Traditional grammar is usually based on earlier grammars of Latin and applied them, often inappropriately, to some other language. For example, some grammarians stated that English had six cases because Latin had six cases. )

Summary

Assignments› Exercises and discussion questions› Preview of Chapter 2