1
Unit 2 Functions of language
Overview
To further explore the nature of language, we naturally come to the question of what
language is for. This unit deepens our understanding of the basics of language by offering
refreshing ideas about language functions, which pave the way for the investigation of
language in use, language evolution, language acquisition, and other important issues in
linguistics.
Text A
Language is used for so many purposes (e.g., expressing feelings, providing information,
and conducting social talking, to name just a few) that it is difficult for us to identify
which one is its most basic (perhaps also its) original use. However, a careful
examination of what language is good/bad at today can hopefully provide some useful
clues to its basic function(s). Contrary to the mainstream assumptions, it has been
Unit 3
Preparatory work
1. Deborah Tannen is University Professor and
Professor of Linguistics at Georgetown University and
author of many books and articles about how the
language of everyday conversation affects
relationships. She is best known as the author of You
Just Don ‘t Understand: Women and Men in
Conversation, which was on the New York Times best
seller list for nearly four years, including eight months
as No. 1, and has been translated into 31
languages. This is the book that brought gender
differences in communication style to the forefront of
public awareness. Her most recent book, You Were
Always Mom’s Favorite! Sisters in Conversation
Throughout Their Lives, also a New York Times best
seller, received a Books for a Better Life Award and was
featured on 20/20(美国电视节目） and NPR(National
大学思辨英语教程精读教师用书
集团档案编码：[YTTR-YTPT28-YTNTL98-UYTYNN08] Unit 3 Verbaland Non-verbal Communication
Unit overview
Both Units 1 and 2 mention a key word “communication”.As Thomas
Payne points out in Text B of Unit 2, most of us, linguists or non-linguists, have the common-sense notion that “the main purpose of
human language is communication”. Thus to develop a deeper
understanding of the nature and function of language, we need to take
a close at human communication. This unit examines this topic from a
cross-cultural perspective, illustrating the similarities and
differences in verbal and non-verbal communication between different
cultures, which lays a foundation for further exploration into the
interface between language and culture in the following units.
Text A
People in different communities demonstrate different perceptions and
Unit 3 Verbaland Non-verbal Communication
Unit overview
Both Units 1 and 2 mention a key word “communication”.As Thomas
Payne points out in Text B of Unit 2, most of us, linguists or non-linguists, have the common-sense notion that “the main purpose of
human language is communication”. Thus to develop a deeper
understanding of the nature and function of language, we need to take
a close at human communication. This unit examines this topic from a
cross-cultural perspective, illustrating the similarities and
differences in verbal and non-verbal communication between different
cultures, which lays a foundation for further exploration into the
interface between language and culture in the following units.
Text A
People in different communities demonstrate different perceptions and
rules of both verbal and non-verbal communication. The way they
