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EngL 3601: Analysis of the English Language and Culture

EngL 3601: Analysis of the English Language and Culture. What is Linguistics?. Linguistics is the scientific study of language Linguists are interested in language as: a human phenomenon a form of human communication a way to study the human brain & mind a tool to influence human thought

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EngL 3601: Analysis of the English Language and Culture

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  1. EngL 3601: Analysis of the English Language and Culture

  2. What is Linguistics? Linguistics is the scientific study of language Linguists are interested in language as: • a human phenomenon • a form of human communication • a way to study the human brain & mind • a tool to influence human thought • a system to shape and reinforce cultures/societies Linguistics is descriptive, not prescriptive

  3. Linguistic Assumptions • Language is a innate human phenomenon • Distinction between the underlying system & individual linguistic acts • Distinction between linguistic competence and linguistic performance • No language system is more complex, logical, beautiful, etc than any other • Primacy of speech/signing over writing • Diversity is normal

  4. Ways linguists examine language • Biologically (neurolinguisitcs, psycholinguistics, phonetics) • Sounds (phonetics, phonology) • Structure & Rules (phonology, morphology, syntax) • Meaning (morphology, semantics, pragmatics, sociolinguistics) • Socially Uses (pragmatics, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics) • Historical Changes

  5. Philology study of changes in language through history via texts relationships between languages Brief history of linguistics • Classical Studies • Grammar • Rhetoric • Philosophy • Lexicography • Grammarians

  6. Chomsky rule-based approach language universals ling competence vs. performance Labov connection between society and lang Brief history of linguistics (cont) • De Saussure • lange vs parole • focus upon spoken language • Bloomfield • corpus approach • descriptive grammars for individual lang

  7. Language... • is arbitrary • no link between sign and signified • is consistent • once established, must follow the rules • is discrete • bigger parts are made up of smaller parts that are put together in a variety of ways

  8. Language... • is productive • can create new linguistic segments that follow rules; theoretically, no limits • allows for displacement • can discuss things that aren't immediately there • changes over time • new words, different syntax, etc

  9. Language... • is diverse • languages, dialects, registers, idiolects • is a mental phenomenon • brain figures out rules • language areas and aphasias • sign vs speaking; learning L2 • is a social phenomenon • need stimulus to learn; communication • social identity

  10. Language Families History of English Language Language Diversity Sociolinguistics Literacy, Literature, etc. How we'll proceed • Phonetics & Phonology • Morphology • Syntax • Semantics • Pragmatics • Language Acquisition

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