Chapter 1(EL)

nullChapter 1 Chapter 1 Language, Linguistics and Lexicology 1-1-2: A Definition of Language 1-1-2: A Definition of Language What is language? null A language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols by means of which the members of a speech community communicate, interact, and transmit their culture. nullThe systematic, conventional use of sounds, signs, or written symbols in a human society for communication and self-expression. The attributes: The attributes: Language system   vocal arbitrary a human activity non-instinctive a social activity related to culture changesFor discussion and review: For discussion and review: 1. How many languages are there in the world? (more than 5,000) 2. What is language? 3. How does human language differ from animal noises? (whale, dolphin, gorilla—man-sized, fierce, tree-climbing ape) 4. What distinguishes man as “the talking animal”? Why? 5. Why is it misleading to compare the use of language with the ability to eat, sleep and walk ? (instinctive)1-1-3: Language, Society and Thought 1-1-3: Language, Society and Thought What is the relation between language, society and thought? nullLanguage ↓ A mirror ↓ A product ↓ A means of communication ↓ The cement of society ↓ Connected with man’s productive activity ↓ Grows and develops with that of a society ↓ Dies when society disappears ↓ Expresses man’s thought1-2-1: A Definition of Linguistics 1-2-1: A Definition of Linguistics Linguistics tries to answer the basic questions “What is language?” “How does it work?” “What happens when a speaker says something and a hearer understands him?”nullencoded semantically, grammatically, and phonologically decoded phonologically, grammatically, and semantically. The discipline that studies the nature and use of language. 1-2-2: The Scope of Linguistics 1-2-2: The Scope of Linguistics Traditional classifications: Linguistics   phonetics grammar lexicology For discussion and review: For discussion and review: What is linguistics? What do you think of the study of linguistics so far? 1-3-1: What Is Lexicology? 1-3-1: What Is Lexicology? lexicon: word, phrase Lexicology is composed of (Greek) two morphemes (formed by Noah Webster in 1828) logie: learning, the study of (French) null Lexicology is a branch of linguistics dealing with the vocabulary (lexis/lexicon) of a language and colloquial neutral academic the properties of words as the main units of language. origin, development, history, structure, meaning and applicationnullThe study of the history and present state of a language vocabulary (carried on by lexicologists). null Lexicology   General Lexicology Special Lexicology 普通词汇学 具体语言的词汇学 1-3-3: The Connection of Lexicology with Other Branches of Linguistics 1-3-3: The Connection of Lexicology with Other Branches of Linguistics 1.With phonetics: The study of the sound system and sound changes of language is closely related to grammar and lexicology. The expression of the meaning of words is made possible by means of sounds; it depends on the phonemic made-up of words, on the order of the sounds, and on the sound-stress. null When well is with different tone, it expresses different feelings. A.   Well, and what are you going to do about it? (Challenge) 好啊/小子，你要干什么？ B.    Well, I am surprised to see you! (Surprise) 妈呀，你从哪钻出来的？ null C.  Well, let me think. Yes, I remember. His name was Peter. (Hesitation) 嗯，让我想想。哦，好像，他叫彼得。 D. Well, well, look who’s come to help—now it’s all finished! (Sarcasm) 得了，得了，瞧，谁来了，就这样了吧！ null E.   Well, I’m glad that’s over. (Relief) 唉，终于完了。 F.   Well, I know what I’ll do. I’ll ask Jim to give me a lift. (Decision) 对，我知道该怎么办了。让吉姆来接我。 null G.   Well, I suppose there’s nothing we can do about it. (Resignation—the acceptance of an unpleasant situation or fact ) 行了，顺其自然吧！ H. Well, in some ways we enjoyed it. (Qualified approval, not totally) 可以了，毕竟我们还是挺开心的。 null 英语与汉语有些词的发音相似: amorous back bawd 爱慕 背 鸨 cheat cough dawn 欺骗 咳嗽 旦 ditch give palm 堤 给 巴掌 rude shy 鲁莽 羞null 2.With grammar Words become significant speech-forms only when they are governed by grammar.e.g. In the word worker the er-ending is a grammatical form, and so are the ous-ending in previous and the y in rocky. Thus even isolated words bear a definite relation to the grammatical system because they belong to some parts of speech. The tie between lexicology and grammar are particularly strong in the sphere of word-formation. nullMore examples: advantage—adj. continuity—adj. advantageous continuous detection—adj. detectable null 3. With stylistics: an aspect of literary study that emphasizes the analysis of various elements of style; the study of the devices in a language that produce expressive value nulle.g. The euphemisms about death: to die to pass away; to depart; to go to sleep; to go to heaven; to join the great majority; to kick off (sl.); to pop off (colloq.); to be called home; go to Glory; go to a better world; go to meet one’s maker 1-3-4: Two Approaches to the Study of English Lexicology 1-3-4: Two Approaches to the Study of English Lexicology A synchronic approach is an approach to the study of a language at one period of time. It is said of an approach that studies language as a theoretical “point” in time.nullA diachronic approach is an approach to the study of the change in a language that took place over a period of time. A diachronic view of language is a view over a period of time.null cylinderDiachrony 历时分析 Diachronic (historical) linguistics Synchrony 共时分析synchronic linguistics the study of language change over a period of time look at one particular point in time (a single cut across the cylinder) For discussion and review: For discussion and review: 1. Is it right that language is a product of society? Why? Give your reasons. 2.  Are there two main approaches to the study of English lexicology? What are they? And give their definitions respectively. 3. What is lexicology? 4.  Do you think that English lexicology course is an important course for the majors in the English language and literature, why? Give your opinions.null1. People live , work and play in a society. They communicate with each other by language in daily life. Language as a necessary tool makes communication very freely and easily in a society. Without society, there would be no language. Without language, there would be no communication between people. The appearance and application of language depend on the existence of society. Therefore, language is a product of society.null4. All the words in a language together constitute what is known as its vocabulary. Vocabulary is one of three elements of language: speech sounds, grammar and vocabulary. In learning a foreign language, it is very important to enlarge one’s vocabulary. In order to learn and use English words correctly, those who major in the English language and literature should acquire a basic knowledge of English lexicology.