1、Introduction to Modern Linguistics,Lecture 1 An Introduction,2020/9/23,2,Course Description,The course is aimed at the introduction of basic theories and principles of linguistics, as well as the best known issues and discoveries of language studies. Participants are also required to implement these

2、 theories and principles to analyze language phenomena, solve language problems and improve their own language competence.,Why linguistics?,For those who will be language educators For those who will be engaged in other occupations than language,Teaching approaches,Lectures Discussion Seminars Prese

3、ntation,Assessment of the course,Total Scores 600 points 100 points 10 quizzes 100 points participation 100 points term paper 50 points class engagement 50 points performance 100 points office hours 100 points final examination,The term paper !,A thesis of 1000 words is required for the course. You

4、can choose any topic about language. Remember the DUE TIME is December 20, not the end of the semester. So you are highly recommended to start early. No excuse is accepted for delay of the paper. Serious penalty is waiting for you if you forget about the thesis: one days delay can make you lose 10 p

5、oints, and a weeks delay means you fail in the paper.,Quizzes,A small quiz of 10 minutes is done each time when a new chapter begins.,Reference Books,1. 何兆熊，梅德明， 現(xiàn)代語言學(xué)， 外語 教育與研究出版社，1999，北京 2. 胡壯麟， 語言學(xué)教程（修訂本），北 京大學(xué)出版社，2001年，北京 3. Fromkin, Victoria and Rodman, Robert. 1998. An introduction to language

6、. 6th ed. Harcourt Brace College Publishers.,1. What is linguistics? -The Definition Linguistics is the scientific study of language.,2. Scopes of linguistics,General linguisticsstudies linguistics as a whole. Phoneticsstudy of sounds Phonology-study of the system of sounds, how they are combined Mo

7、rphologystudy of the structure and formation of words, Syntaxstudy of sentences, rules governing sentence making Semanticsstudy of meaning in isolation Pragmatics- study of meaning in context Sociolinguisticsstudy of the social aspects of language Psycholinguisticsstudy of how human beings acquire l

8、anguage, Applied linguisticsGeneral sense: the application of the theories and principles of linguistics to other areas. Narrow sense: the application of the theories and principles of linguistics to language teaching Neurolinguisticsdeals with the way in which language is presented in the brain, Hi

9、storical linguisticsconsiders how language changes over time in pronunciation, syntax, and meaning Stylistics and poeticsstudy literary language and how it achieves its effects Dialectologyobserves how language varies across geographical or social boundaries Computational linguisticslook at language

10、s as essentially formal systems, which could be mastered by machines,3. Some important distinctions of linguistics,3.1 prescriptive vs. descriptive prescriptiveTraditional Grammar taught to learners of a language is basically prescriptive. It tells the reader “how they should say”laying down rules f

11、or “correct” behavior descriptive describes and analyzes the language people are currently speaking. It deals with “what people actually say”,3.2 synchronic vs. diachronic synchronicdescription of a language at some point in time is a synchronic study diachronicthe study of a language as it changes

12、through time,3.3. speech and writing speech: primary, more basic, precedes written form in language development, more practical than written form, hard to record writing : permanent, can be recorded,3.4.langue and parole by the Swiss linguist F. de Saussure langueabstract systems shared by all membe

13、rs of a speech community parolethe realization of langue in actual use,3.5 competence and performance put forth by american linguist Noam Chomsky competencelearners knowledge of a language performancethe actual realization of the knowledge in real linguistic communication,2. What is language?,2.1. Definition: Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication. 2.1.1. Language is a system. 2.1.2. Language is arbitrary. 2.1.3. Language is vocal. .,2.1.4. Language is symbolic.