语言学导论第一章答案

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Chapter one Invitations to language

Reference keys

I 1. verbal 2. productivity.3 metalingual function 4. yo-he-ho 5.

Pooh-pooh 6. contact 7. language 8. descriptive 10. diachronic linguistic

11. langue 12. competence 13. arbitrary vocal 14. scientific ,language 15.

descriptive, prescriptive 16. Synchronic, diachronic 17. abstract,

realization 18. knowledge, realization 19. arbitrariness 20. displacement

21 sounds, meaning 22. transmitted

II. 1. B 2.B 3. C 4. A 5. C. 6.C 7.C 8.C 9.B 10.D 11. A 12.C

III. 1.T 2.F 3.T 4.F 5.T 6.T 7.T 8.F 9.T 10.F 11.F 12.T 13.F 14.T 15.F

16.F 17.T18.T19.F20.T

VI. Questions

1. What are the attributes of language that must be included in the

definition of language?

Language is a means of verbal communication. It includes the

following attributes: language has system; it is vocal and arbitrary; it is a

human and social activity; it is non-instinctive and is related to culture;

language changes with time.

2. If language is partially defined as communication, can we all say the

voices that dogs make are languages? Why or why not?

No.It is observed that dogs may use barking to express anxiety,

submission and threats, but it is very different from human language in

many aspects. Firstly, human language has two systems: the system of

sound and the system of meaning. So language is a system by which

sounds and meanings are related. But dogs’ voice has not the two sets of

structures. Second, The creative use language is unique to human beings.

But dogs can not segment speech sounds, nor can they form an infinite set

of utterance from a finite set of units by use of limited rules. Third, Dogs’

voice is only emotional response to particular stimuli, and have no way to

express their feelings yesterday or their imaginations tomorrow. But

human beings can talk about things at present, in the past or in the future,

and things real or imagined.

3. Point our three major differences between linguistics and traditional

grammar.

4.What kind of evidence supports the idea that language is culturally

transmitted.

5.One of he main features of our human language is arbitrariness. Can

you briefly explain what feature it refers to? Support your argument

with examples.

Language is arbitrary in the sense that there is no intrinsic connection

between the sounds that people use and the objects to which these sounds

refer. The fact that different languages have different words for the same

object is a good illustration of the arbitrary nature of language,. It is only

our tacit agreement of utterance and concept at work and not any innate

relationship bound up in the utterance. A typical example to illustrate the

“arbitrariness” of language is “ a rose by any name would smell as sweet”