Introduction to English Linguistics - Schleburg PDF

1 Technicalities Basic Notions Introduction to English Linguistics – Schleburg 1 Language and Linguistics Towards a definition of ›language‹ Speaking is unique to humans. the general, biological ability to articulate and understand...

1 Technicalities Basic Notions Introduction to English Linguistics – Schleburg 1 Language and Linguistics Towards a definition of ›language‹ Speaking is unique to humans. the general, biological ability to articulate and understand Do you speak Hungarian? the knowledge of a particular system of rules (a code) You’d better speak to her yourself. the individual event of using such a code to a communicative purpose 1 Towards a definition of ›language‹ (faculté de) langage = the general, biological ability to articulate and understand langue = the knowledge of a particular system of rules (a code)—> languages; e.g. German, Hungarian) parole = the individual event of using such a code to a communicative purpose —> ‚activity‘ —> language in use Ferdinand de SAUSSURE (1857–1913) 1 Language and Linguistics Towards a definition of ›language‹ in the sense of ›langue‹ Facts: Languages use physical events (sounds) to carry non-physical content (meaning). Languages are based on biological properties of the human species. Languages use rules and patterns established by social convention. Languages fulfil important functions for individuals and societies. Languages vary across situations, speakers, groups and regions and change through time. Working definition: A (natural) language is … a system —> grammar of vocal signs —> based on the voice agreed on by a group of humans —> spoken by speech communities for the purpose of communication. —> social interactions 1 Language and Linguistics ›System‹ subsystem: [ˈzɪs ˈfɪlm hɛs ʔa ˈlɔt ʔɔf ˈʔɛktʃen] phonology —> level of sounds This lm has a lot of action His goodest idea was that he comed to see the morphology —> forms of words childs. lexicology —> vocabulary Colourless green ideas sleep furiously. semantics —> meaning of words (N. CHOMSKY) 1 Language and Linguistics ›System‹ Yesterday told me my mother that she today syntax —> construction of sentences no dinner cook will. She was very beautiful. He had only one text linguistics —> oder of sentences daughter. Once upon a time there was a king. Hello heart! pragmatics —> using language to socially interact Calm! Nothing is happening! It is valid! A little kiss! —> literal translation of a Spanish conversation variational linguistics (historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, —> social backgrounds dialectology, —> regional variations; stylistics …) e.g. AE, BE 1 Language and Linguistics Q Stand: 23.09.2015 鶴 ›Sign‹ What makes something a sign? Stand: 23.09.2015 अ % 1 Language and Linguistics The linguistic sign ›Sign‹ Aliquid stat pro aliquo: —> something stands for something signifiant =1signi er something (signifier) (sound (we sequence) perceive) /maʊs/ —> that we perceive stands for signifié= signi something 2 ed (signified) (concept) (we think of) —> that we think of 1 Language and Linguistics ›Sign‹ How does the ›standing for‹ work? Stand: 04.08.2015 icon:   1ÚF III 大 based on similarity —> looking similar to what is meant smoke → fire index: footprint → somebody walked there based on cause and effect blush → embarrassment Stand: 04.08.2015 symbol: ♀ ♪ ∫ 2 ♃ な willkürlich based on arbitrary convention —> have to learn them —> ‚random‘ agreement —> agreed on & xed 1 Language and Linguistics ›Sign‹ – Semiotics icon = a sign … based on similarity index = a sign … based on cause and effect symbol = a sign … based on arbitrary convention Charles Sanders PEIRCE (1839–1914) 1 Language and Linguistics ›Sign‹ – The linguistic sign again While there is a certain degree of iconicity (similarity) in mimetic words like bow-wow or hiss, most linguistic signs are symbols: signifiant (sound sequence) /maʊs/ arbitrary stands for conventional signifié (concept) 1 Language and Linguistics ›Human‹ – Design features of natural languages Willkür Arbitrariness Vocal-auditory channel Discreteness —> opposite of conitnuous —> can be broken down: units level the players seemed extremely tired clauses the players seemed extremely tired phrases the players seemed extremely tired word forms ðə pleɪ ə z siːm d ɪkstriːm li taɪə d meaningful elements ð ə p l eɪ ə z s iː m d ɪ k s t r iː m l i t aɪ ə d sounds duality of pattern: limited set of meaningless basic units → unlimited number of meaningful combinations 1 Language and Linguistics ›Human‹ – Design features of natural languages Displacement —> not just here & now —> past future, other places, lies, … Cultural transmission —> not through genes but from environment Openness → Creativity —> open system & creative use —> producing & forming sentences