Introduction to Linguistics: Understanding the Structure and Function of Human Language - , Sintesi del corso di Lingua Inglese

Scarica Introduction to Linguistics: Understanding the Structure and Function of Human Language - e più Sintesi del corso in PDF di Lingua Inglese solo su Docsity! 1. WHAT IS LANGUAGE? WHAT IS LINGUISTIC? Linguistic study of the structure, functions and acquisitions of human language. • There’s a universal human faculty of language • Different languages exist Numerous levels: phonology, lexis, syntax, semantics and pragmatics, individual’s knowledge of the world. SAUSSURE beginner of modern linguistics A linguistic sign is a combination of signifier and signified. No motivated relationship between them it’s arbitrary The meaning of a sign is determined by the relationship it has with other signs. SYNCHRONIC APPROACH: contemporary state of language DIACHRONIC APPROACH: language studied historically Words enter into systems: • SYNTAGMATIC (of combination) sequential relationship that words may have with each other • PARADIGMATIC (of choice) the choices we make when we choose a word to fit in a particular position 1.2. HUMAN LANGUAGE AND ANIMAL COMMUNICATION Communication with a toddler is not so limited as communication with an animal qualitative differences. 13 design features of human language (HOCKETT) but only 6 are accepted: 1. ARBITRARINESS 2. DISPLACEMENT 3. PRODUCTIVITY 4. SEMANTICITY 5. DISCRETENESS 6. DUALITY OF PATTERING Human language is flexible and productive communication about any area of human experience CHOMSKY language is so unlike anything else, considered a separate ability. 1. Language is innate to humans 2. Language is unique to humans According to CHOMSKY, human already have a plan for language UNIVERSAL GRAMMAR Human beings all acquire languages and go through the same stages to do it. COMPETENCE reflection of our mental model of language (LANGUE) PERFORMANCES how we use language (PAROLE) 1.3. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ACQUIRE LANGUAGE? The acquirement in children is made clear by the errors they make they don’t imitate adults, but they make hypothesis, they acquire language despite a relative “poverty of stimulus”