MindMap Gallery Introduction to English Linguistics Introduction(1)

Introduction to English Linguistics Introduction(1)

The first chapter of the Introduction to Literature, the mind map revolves around two core issues: what language is and what linguistics is, and introduces in detail the definition, characteristics, design characteristics, functions of language, as well as the definition, research scope and important distinctions of linguistics.

Edited at 2025-09-26 14:46:10

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Introduction to English Linguistics Introduction(1)

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Introduction

What is linguistic?

Definition: The scientific study of language

Basic questions: "What is language?" "How does language work?" "What rules are there that govern the structure of language?"

Subject nature: Do not study any particular language, but study languages in general.

Study methods: observation, induction, hypothesis, verification; data and theory stand in a dialectical comparison.

The scope of linguistics (general linguistics)

Core branches: Phonetics, Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Semantics, Pragmatics Interdisciplinary branches: Sociolinguistics, Psycholinguistics, Applied Linguistics

Phonetics: sounds used in linguistic communication Phonology: how sounds are put together to convey meaning Morphology: arranged/combined to form words Syntax: rules for combining words into grammatically permitted sentences Semantics: meaning of language Pragmatics: meaning in context of language use

Sociolinguistics: language and society are closely connected Psycholinguimatics: related study of language to psychology Applied Linguistics: application of linguistic theories/principles

Some important distinctions in linguistics

Prescriptive vs. Descriptive: lay down rules for "correct and standard" behavior in using language vs. describe and analyze the language people actually use

Synchronic vs. Diachronic: the description of a language at some point of time in history vs. the description of a language as it changes through time

Speech and Writing: spoken language reveals more true features of human speech; written language is only the "revised" record of speech

Langue and Parole: the abstract linguistic system shared by all the members of a speech community; the realization of langue in actual use

Competence and Performance: the ideal user's knowledge of the rules of his language; the actual realization of this knowledge in linguistic communication

Traditional grammar and Modern linguistics: prescriptive, over-emphasize written language, and Latin-centered; descriptive, spoken language as primary, and no Latin-based framework

What is language?

Definition: Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication

Representative viewpoint: Sapir(1921): communicate ideas/emotions via symbols Hall(1968): institution of oral - auditory symbols Chomsky(1957):.set of sentences from finite elements

Features: System, Arbitrary, Vocal, Human-specific

Design features of language: Arbitrariness, Productivity, Duality, Displacement, Cultural transmission

Arbitrariness: no logical connection between meanings and sounds Productivity: produce and understand infinite new sentences Duality: ①lower level: meaningless sounds ②higher level: meaningful units (morphemes, words) Displacement: ability to refer to things not present (past/future, distant, imagination) Cultural Transmission: innate capacity to learn language, but specific language details are acquired through social transmission

Functions of Language: Description function, Expressive function, Social function

Basic functions of language: Addresser - Emotic (I hate whatever they are planning for me!) Addresses - Conative (Why not go and see another doctor?) Context - Referential (As far as I know, the earth’s resources are being astonishingly wasted.) Message - Poetic (Poetry) Contact - Phatic communication (Hi! How are you this morning?) Code - Metalinguistic (Let me tell you what the word "anorousia" means.)

Functions of child language (Halliday): Ideational, Interpersonal, Textual

sound, form, meaning