语言学论文

The Relationship between Langue and Parole in Foreign Language Learning ABSTRACT Study on language begins very early in western countries. But at that time, the so-called linguistics is more about psychology and related fields. It is the distinction of langue and parole, put forward by Ferdinand de Saussure, which brings public focus back to linguistics itself. The definition of langue and parole, and the relationship between them are vital to every beginner in linguistics. Key words: langue; parole; individual 摘要 语言学习很早就在西方国家兴起。但与此同时，语言学的研究很大程度上仅仅是关于心理以及相关领域的研习。直到索绪尔提出语言与言语的区别，语言学的研究才回归到语言本身。语言与言语的定义，以及两者之间的关系对于语言学初学者至关重要。 关键词： 语言；言语；个体 Langue, also known as language, is the exchange of information between human beings, which includes expression from the speaker and comprehension from the listener. Langue is more of an abstract literary term. It exits in the brain, instead of in the mouth. It is a generally accepted rule that makes people in a certain area express and comprehend a message in a certain way. Parole is the words that people use to communicate. It may have different meanings depending on the field and judiciary system. All of the meanings originated from the French parole. Following its use in late-resurrected Anglo-French chivalric practice, the term became associated with the release of prisoners based on prisoners giving their word of honor to abide by certain restrictions. One proposed reform is that parole bonds be used to incentivize defendants not to re-offend.[1] To be more obvious and understandable, langue and parole can be defined like the following. Langue denotes the abstract systematic principles of a language. Parole, on the other hand, designates individual acts, statements and utterances, events of language use. So we can see the key points are “systematic principle” and “individual language use”. From the definitions of langue and parole, the relationship between langue and parole can deducted and concluded. Take the words for example. According to Saussure, “If we could embrace the sum of word-images stored in the minds of all individuals, we could identify the social bond that constitutes langue.”[2] Everyone has some amount of his own individual using words in his brain. But from the word system in language, an individual’s life parole cannot constitute langue. Langue is a collectivity. “For langue is not complete in any speaker.” The abstract systematic principles of a language, in fact, exists in every individual’s mind although sometimes most of us do not realize it, thinking that it is a natural thing or an instinct to speak and communicate in our daily life. Just imagine, if there is not some systematic principles in language, how can we organize our utterances and how can we be understood by each other without any misunderstanding? We can communicate in the society, because we have some common things. Those common things, in linguistics, can be called systematic principle of language, such as grammar, phonology and so on. At the same time, the abstract systematic principles of a language need to realize its values by people’s using, by people’s daily language performance. Just based on Saussure’s theory, langue is “the competence of the speaker”. If we only have the ability, but no media for us to put this competence into practice, the competence will be meaningless. [3]For example, if you are able to ride a bike, but you do not have a bike to realize your ability, after some period of time, your rising-bike ability will be disappearing gradually. Like riding a bike, if there are only some abstract systematic principles of a language, but no media to use the language, this language competence will also disappear. Let` s create a situation. Jack said “I love you” to Rose in the street. The sentences itself “I love you” is the parole. And how Rose understands this sentence is all about the langue. In Chinese, “wo ai ni”1 means I have a strong feeling for you, and hope that I could be the only one you care. So the story may go like this: Holding a diamond ring, Jack said “I love you” to Rose and proposed for marriage. Rose agreed and they happily got married. While in America, “I love you” not only can be used between lovers but also can be used between friends. So the story may have a totally different edition: It was Christmas day. Rose sent a gift to every friend in school. Jack received a basketball. He was so excited that he said, “What a gift! I love you, Rose!” In such a circumstance, “I love you” is not the magic word, and nothing happened afterwards. As we can see, the same words have different understanding in Chinese Rose and American Rose. It is the langue that makes the difference. To be more specific, it is how people in the area use this phrase that provides the understanding. From the above paragraphs, langue and parole are closely related. Langue makes parole understandable, and parole is a necessary part of langue. Parole without langue becomes only meaningless sound pattern. Langue without parole turns to express very limited ideas. In linguistics study, langue is the goal and parole is the tool. On the relationship between langue and parole that parole must depend on langue, and without parole, there would not be any existing significance for langue. Langue and parole are interdependent. They together constitute language. By researching langue and parole, there is some great significance in the teaching of languages, such as in the teaching of Chinese and English. And parole is the person’s daily speaking, so to some extent, we can find the physiological changes and some other things. Language is connected with a lot of other subjects, so researching the two factors of language langue and parole, the importance and significance will be endless and powerful. Bibliography [1]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langue_and_parole [2]岑运强，《语言学基础理论》，北京师范大学出版社，2005年。 [3]胡壮麟，《语言学教程》，北京大学出版社，2008年。 第4页 共4页