语言学答疑精选.doc

〈语言学〉答疑库 1. Explain the following definition of linguistics: Linguistics is the scientific study of language. Key: Linguistics investigates not any particular language, but languages in general. Linguistic study is scientific because it is based on the systematic investigation of authentic language data. No serious linguistic conclusion is reached until after the linguist has done the following three things: observing the way language is actually used, formulating some hypotheses, and testing these hypotheses against linguistic facts to prove their validity. 2. Is modern linguistics mainly synchronic or diachronic? Why? Key: Modern linguistics is mainly synchronic, focusing on the present-day language. Unless the various states of a language are successfully studied, it will not be possible to describe language from a diachronic point of view. 3. How is Saussure’s distinction between langue and parole similar to Chomsky’s distinction between competence and performance? Key: Both Saussure and Chomsky make the distinction between the abstract language system and the actual use of language. Their purpose is to single out the language system for serious study. 4. What features of human language have been specified by C. Hockett to show that it is essentially different from any animal communication system? Key: Arbitrariness--- a sign of sophistication only humans are capable of Creativity--- animals are quite limited in the messages they are able to send Duality--- a feature totally lacking in any animal communication Displacement--- No animal can “talk” about things removed from the immediate situation Cultural transmisson--- Details of human language system are taught and learned while animals are born with capacity to send out certain signals as a means of limited communication 5 What are the two major media of communication? Of the two, which one is primary and why? Key: Speech and writing. Speech is considered primary over writing. The reason are: speech is prio