LING-01.PPT Introduction to Linguistics Dr. David F. Maas

8/14/2019 LING-01.PPT Introduction to Linguistics Dr. David F. Maas

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LinguisticsLinguistics

s Linguistics has often been called theLinguistics has often been called the

science of Languagescience of Language


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LinguistLinguist

s A Linguist is aA Linguist is a

scientist whose field isscientist whose field is

LinguisticsLinguistics


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Human UniquenessHuman Uniqueness

s Symbol UsingSymbol Using

s LanguageLanguage


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Forms of LifeForms of Life

s Chemistry BindingChemistry Binding

s Space BindingSpace Binding

s Time BindingTime Binding


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LanguageLanguage

According to Otto JespersenAccording to Otto Jespersen

Language is an arbitrary learnedLanguage is an arbitrary learnedsystem of vocal symbols throughsystem of vocal symbols through

which human beings interact.which human beings interact.


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How many Languages?How many Languages?

The Wyclif Ethnologue recordsThe Wyclif Ethnologue records

nearly 6000 languages in the world.nearly 6000 languages in the world.


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Standardization of LanguageStandardization of Language

ElementsElements

s One standard phonetic alphabetOne standard phonetic alphabet

s Universal generalizations about languageUniversal generalizations about language

structurestructure


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Three Levels of StructureThree Levels of Structure

s The organization of theThe organization of the SoundSound systemsystem

s The organization of meaningful units calledThe organization of meaningful units called

WordsWordss The organization of larger utterances calledThe organization of larger utterances called

SentencesSentences


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Linguistic TerminologyLinguistic Terminology

s PhonologyPhonology is the study of the sounds.is the study of the sounds.

s MorphologyMorphology is the study of word forms.is the study of word forms.

s SyntaxSyntax is the study of sentence patternsis the study of sentence patterns


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Sound SystemSound System

s The sound system refers to the way inThe sound system refers to the way in

which sounds are organized.which sounds are organized.

s The sound system of any language differsThe sound system of any language differsfrom that of any other language.from that of any other language.

s Every language has a highly organizedEvery language has a highly organized

system of sounds.system of sounds.


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Arranged according to RulesArranged according to Rules

s Certain combinations cannot occur within aCertain combinations cannot occur within a

languagelanguage

s The combinationsThe combinations kplkplandandgngn may not occurmay not occurin English.in English.


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Language StructureLanguage Structure

Language structure refers to theLanguage structure refers to the wayway

in which all the elements of ain which all the elements of alanguage are organized for thelanguage are organized for the

purpose of communicationpurpose of communication


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PhonologyPhonology

s Study of speech soundsStudy of speech sounds

s Phonemics : Broad transcription of soundsPhonemics : Broad transcription of sounds

s Phonetics : Narrow transcription of soundsPhonetics : Narrow transcription of sounds


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PhonemePhoneme

Smallest unit of sound capable ofSmallest unit of sound capable of

changing the meaning of anchanging the meaning of anutteranceutterance


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AllophonesAllophones

Variations of a phoneme whichVariations of a phoneme which

doesnt change the meaning of andoesnt change the meaning of anutteranceutterance


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Morphology -Study of languageMorphology -Study of language

formsforms

s Inflectional endings- such asInflectional endings- such as ss added toadded to

catcatss to make it pluralto make it plural

s Affixes- appendages added to theAffixes- appendages added to thebeginnings or ends of words to alterbeginnings or ends of words to alter

meaning such asmeaning such as inin added toadded to iningratitudegratitude


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Syntax- Word OrderSyntax- Word Order

John hit GeorgeJohn hit George

Hit John GeorgeHit John George


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Elements of LanguageElements of Language

s PhonologyPhonology

s MorphologyMorphology

s

SyntaxSyntax

s The individual soundsThe individual sounds

of the languageof the language

s

Combinations of theseCombinations of thesesounds intosounds into

meaningful wordsmeaningful words

s Combination ofCombination of

meaningful units intomeaningful units intosentencessentences


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Language and CultureLanguage and Culture

s An expression of preference for a givenAn expression of preference for a given

language is actually an expression for thelanguage is actually an expression for the

CultureCulture that uses the language.that uses the language.s Eskimo Culture uses rich diverseEskimo Culture uses rich diverse

descriptions of snow states.descriptions of snow states.


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Speech CommunitySpeech Community

A speech community refers to aA speech community refers to a

group of people living within thegroup of people living within thesame geographical boundaries andsame geographical boundaries and

speaking the same languagespeaking the same language

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LING-01.PPT Introduction to Linguistics Dr. David F. Maas