武汉理工大学：《英语言学》课程教学资源（PPT课件讲稿，英文版）Lecture Introduction to the course

Welcome to Linguistics 2nd Semester 2005-2006 我受 头 English department Wuhan University of Technology 2021/2/21

2021/2/21 Welcome to Linguistics 2nd Semester 2005-2006 English Department Wuhan University of Technology

Lecture I Introduction to the course 2021/2/21

2021/2/21 Lecture I Introduction to the Course

Why does language provide such a fascinating object of study? 2021/2/21

2021/2/21 Why does language provide such a fascinating object of study?

Perhaps it is because its unique role in capturing the breadth of human thought and endeavour We look around uS, and are awed by the variety of several thousand languages and dialects expressing a multiplicity of world views literatures, and ways of life We look back at the thoughts of our predecessors and find we can see only as far as language lets us see. We look forward in time, and find we can plan only through language. We look outward in space ands end symbols of communication along with our spacecraft, to explain who we are, in case there is anyone there who wants to know 2021/2/21

2021/2/21  Perhaps it is because its unique role in capturing the breadth of human thought and endeavour.  We look around us, and are awed by the variety of several thousand languages and dialects, expressing a multiplicity of world views, literatures, and ways of life.  We look back at the thoughts of our predecessors, and find we can see only as far as language lets us see. We look forward in time, and find we can plan only through language. We look outward in space, ands end symbols of communication along with our spacecraft, to explain who we are, in case there is anyone there who wants to know

Alongside this, there is the importance we attach to language, as a means of understanding ourselves and our society, and of resolving some of the problems and tensions that arise from human interaction. No sector of society is unaffected, and all can benefit from the study of the linguistic factors that constitute a barrier as well as a means of communication. But linguistic problems rarely admit simple solutions, and it is this elementary observations that has led to the present work 2021/2/21

2021/2/21  Alongside this, there is the importance we attach to language, as a means of understanding ourselves and our society, and of resolving some of the problems and tensions that arise from human interaction. No sector of society is unaffected, and all can benefit from the study of the linguistic factors that constitute a barrier, as well as a means of communication. But linguistic problems rarely admit simple solutions, and it is this elementary observations that has led to the present work

Or maybe the reason is in fact simple: human beings are al ways curious in seeking what they don't know of language use without realizing its wonder? Ourse Consider: What are taken for granted in our ce 2021/2/21

2021/2/21  Or maybe the reason is in fact simple: human beings are always curious in seeking what they don’t know.  Consider: What are taken for granted in our course of language use without realizing its wonder?

A few Questions under the study of Linguistics ) -Where does language come from? How? When? )--Why is language human-specific? ) --Why can a child learn his/her mother tongue in a short period of time?--How does language change? )--How can people talk orderly? )--How can we say one thing but mean another? )--Why can a person speak and understand a sentence s/he had never spoken or heard before Etc 2021/2/21

2021/2/21 A few Questions under the study of Linguistics  --Where does language come from? How? When?  --Why is language human-specific?  --Why can a child learn his/her mother tongue in a short period of time? --How does language change?  --How can people talk orderly?  --How can we say one thing but mean another?  --Why can a person speak and understand a sentence s/he had never spoken or heard before? Etc

What is linguistics Linguistics the scientific study of language concerns itself with all aspects of how people use language and what they must know in order to do 2021/2/21

2021/2/21 What is linguistics  Linguistics, the scientific study of language, concerns itself with all aspects of how people use language and what they must know in order to do so

The Domain of Linguistics Language is a complicated entity with multiple layers and facets, so the linguists have to concentrate on one aspect of it at a time Modern linguists concern themselves with many different facets of language, from the physical properties of the sound waves in utterances to the intentions of speakers towards others in conversations and the social contexts in which conversations are embedded. The branches of linguistics are concerned with how languages are structured, how languages are used, and how they change. 2021/2/21

2021/2/21 The Domain of Linguistics  Language is a complicated entity with multiple layers and facets , so the linguists have to concentrate on one aspect of it at a time.  Modern linguists concern themselves with many different facets of language, from the physical properties of the sound waves in utterances to the intentions of speakers towards others in conversations and the social contexts in which conversations are embedded. The branches of linguistics are concerned with how languages are structured, how languages are used, and how they change

Language as a Formal System The study of sounds which are used in linguistic communicati on is calle d phonetics 语 音学 2021/2/21

2021/2/21 I Language as a Formal System  The study of sounds which are used in linguistic communicati on is called phonetics 语 音学