【正文】 xercises at the back of this part on P. 13.) The Functions of Language (~20) ? The term munication can be used to cover most of the function of language. But the function of language is varied, in terms of using the language to chat, to think, to buy and sell, to read and write, to greet people, etc. ? Language functions in our society as a principal means of munication. It also functions as social control. It is not only a psychological phenomenon, but also a social fact. ? Language is not a selfcontained system, but entirely dependent on the society in which it is used. We must study meaning with reference to an analysis of the functions of language in any given culture. Malinowski distinguishes three major functions of language: ? the pragmatic （ 語用的 ， 務(wù)實(shí)的 ） function: language as a form of action。 ? One has to learn symbolic signs as part of the culture. Accordingly, language belongs to this type of signs. Language is mainly symbolic. ? Words are associated with objects, actions, and ideas by social convention. ? The symbolic nature of language is more important and plicated than any other types of signs, and more embracing and representative of all the features of all signs. ? Without the symbolic signs of language, we can not talk about anything as we like. ? In today‘s multimedia world, there are many instances of meaning being expressed by different types of signs working together. Typical examples can be found in mercial advertisements on TV (電視廣告：藥 ， 洗發(fā)水 ， 保健品 )。 沒有語言 環(huán)境 ， 沒有交流環(huán)境 ， 語言是無法習(xí)得的 ） . Language Is Systematic () ? This property is usually claimed to be unique to humans. Each human language is anized into two basic systems: a system of sounds and a system of meanings. This is called the duality of language. ? Human language operated on two levels of structure. At one level, elements have no meaning themselves. They have meaning when bined to form units at another level. ? In the meaning system, these units of meaning can be arranged in an infinitive number of ways to express both simple and plicated ideas. ? A language offers its speaker the opportunity to talk about anything. The number of words in a language is relatively finite but their possible bination can be infinite. ? The syntax of a language may deal with the ordering of words, which actually is the rules for the formation of sentences and parts of sentences such as phrases and clauses. ? (Have a look at the exercises at the back of this part on P. 3.) Language Is Symbolic () ? People use signs to municate, which means that language involves signs. ? The way in which people municate through signs and images, or the study of it is referred to as ―semiology‖ or ―semiotics‖. ? Roland Barthes and others extend semiology to include plex cultural forms of munication such as painting, music, films, theatre, dance, clothing, advertising, architecture, literature, and even food. ? Traditionally, signs are divided into natural signs and conventional signs. According to Traugott amp。 完全是一種任意的選定 .) 3. Duality of structure (or double articulation)（ 結(jié)構(gòu)的雙重性 ） : ? This property is usually claimed to be unique to humans. Each human language is anized into two basic systems: a system of sounds and a system of meanings ? Higher level ─ Language is a bination of meaningful units (such as morphemes, words). ? Lower level ── Language is a sequence of segments which lack any meaning in themselves, but which bine to form units of meaning (such as letters, phoic symbols.) (* Why is duality regarded as an important feature of human language? Because: i. A far greater number of messages can be sent。 ── 王德春 ? Unfortunately, a perfect and satisfactory definition has yet to e. ? Despite the differences in their views, many linguists have agreed to accept the view that ―Language is, in essence, a system of symbols designed for the purpose of human munication.‖ （ 就其本質(zhì)而言 ， 語言是人類以交際為目的而設(shè)計(jì)的一套符號系統(tǒng) ） . ? They have e to a general agreement about the following important features that are typical of the nature of human languages. The defining properties of human language (語言的特性 ) Design features（ 識別特征 ） : The possession of language most clearly distinguishes man from other animals. Human language has five features: 1. Creativity（ 創(chuàng)造性 ） ─We all have the ability to construct and understand an indefinitely large number of sentences in our native languages. （ 在母語所規(guī)定的限制范圍內(nèi) ， 人可以在構(gòu)詞 、 造句 、 理解句子方面有著無限的創(chuàng)造力 。 3.《 現(xiàn)代英語語言學(xué)概論 （ 英語版 ） 戴煒棟 , 上海外語教育出版社 。 An Introduction to Linguistics 《 語言學(xué)概論 》 by Hu Yining About the course ? Linguistics is a university course for English majors in their 3rd or 4th year and it involves many fields of research (. psychology, sociology, philosophy), so it‘s not surprising if you find it difficult at the beginning. ? It‘s a must for language students to learn something about linguistics and very important for those who want to do further study after graduation. ? The course will be given mainly in English, but in Chinese when necessary. A few requests: ? Attend the course regularly since it‘s a pulsory course . ? Not an optional one. No absence from class without reasonable reasons. ? Take notes, remember the terminal words and facts, and do the revision. ? Continuous assessment will be given for the course, so fulfill all the assignments satisfactorily including the ―Further Reading‖ part at the back of the textboo