Chapter 1 Invitations to Linguistics 语言与语言学

1.1 Why Study Language？ 为什么研究语言？

　　LANGUAGE is such an integral part of our life and humanity that too much about it has been taken for granted. For some people, language may not even be considered a worthy subject for academic study. They take it as a tool for access to other fields of knowledge rather than as a subject in and of itself. However, if you pause and think of the following myths about language, it is indeed necessary to reconsider how much we really understand about the nature of language and its role in our life. And you may be surprised to realize that some of our most damaging racial, ethnic, and socio-economic prejudices are' based on .our linguistic ignorance and wrong ideas about language.

　　语言于人类不可或缺，也是人之所以为人的重要特征，正因为这样,人们对语言的诸多方面存在着想当然的认识。在一些人看来，语言甚至不算是一门有学术研究价值的学科，他们只把语言当作进人其他知识领域的工具,而不是一门学科。但是，如果我们静下心来思考下面一些关于语言的言论,你就会觉得的确有必要对语言本质及其在人们生活中的作用进行重新思考。你或许会惊异地发现，在种族、伦理、社会经济最严重的歧视之中,有一些就是源自对语言的无知与误解。

Myth 1. Language is only a means of communication.

误解一:语言仅是一种交际方式。

Myth 2. Language has a form-meaning correspondence.

误解二:语言的形式和意义对应一致。

Myth 3. The function of language is to exchange information. 

误解三:语言的作用即交换信息。

Myth 4. English is more difficult to learn than Chinese.

误解四:英语比汉语难学。

Myth 5. Black English is not standard and should be reformed.

误解五:黑人英语不标准，需要改造。

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　　The list of myths may go on and by the end of this course, if you look back on them, we hope you may find these, widespread views not so truthful after all.

　　类似的误解不胜枚举。在这门课程结束时,我们希望你能认识到这些流传甚广的观点并不那么正确。

　　The following are some fundamental views about language, which you may instinctively agree without thinking about the reasons, or you may not agree at the moment. Follow this course and you will find they are discussed in more detail in the ensuing chapters.

　　下面是有关语言的一些基本观点，你或许会不假思索，本能地对其中一些表示赞同，或许会立刻表示反对。随着课程的推进，你将会在下面各章中更深人地认识这些观点。

(1) Children learn their native language swiftly, efficiently and without instruction.

  儿童能快速、高效地掌握母语而且无须指导。

(2)Language operates by rules.

  语言使用有章可循。

(3) All languages have three major components: a sound system, a system of lexicogrammar and a system of semantics.

  任何语言均包括三个主要组成成分:语音系统、词汇语法系统和语义系统。

(4) Everyone speaks a dialect.

  每个人都说一种方言。

( 5) Language slowly changes.

  语言缓慢变化。

(6) Speakers of all languages employ a range of styles and a set of jargons.

  无论哪种语言,其使用者都能运用多种语言风格和一系列行话。

(7) Languages are intimately related to the societies and individuals who use them.

  语言与社会,语言与使用者紧密相连。

(8) Writing is derivative of speech.

  书面语衍生于话语。

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