Matakuliah : G0922/Introduction to Linguistics
Tahun
: 2008
Session 1
Introduction
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to explain the advantages of learning
linguistics
Students will be able to mention the aspects of languages
Students will be able to explain the difference between
speech and writing
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Material Outline
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Definition of Language
Aspects of Language
Language and Medium
Linguistics fields
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Language
• Definition:
– A system of arbitrary sound system used by the members of a
social group to work together, communicate one another and to
identify themselves.
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Aspects of Language
1. Language is a system
E.g. I go, she goes, he goes. (subject + verb)
2. Language is a sign system
the sign represents something
e.g. a pen represents an instrument for writing
3. Language is meaningful
It is related to the aspects of the speakers – the world of the
speakers – the environment, the nature etc.
4. Language is conventional
The sign is understood by the speakers based on their agreement.
e.g. sign 4 indicate four not three.
5. Language is a system of sounds
6. Language is arbitrary
There is no relationship between the sign and the entity that it points
at
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Aspects of Language
7. Language is productive
A limited number of signs can produce unlimited number of other
signs
E.g. from a limited alphabet, we can produce unlimited sounds,
words and pieces
of writings
8. Language is unique
Every language has its own characteristics
9. Language is universal
Every language has at least one aspect that is the same as other
languages
E.g. the sounds : a,i,o
10. Language is used for communication
11. Language is used to identify oneself.
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Language and medium
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The two main mediums of language are speech and writing
Speech :
- composed of sounds
- make use of intonation, pitch, rhythm, tempo.
- Produced effortlessly – no tools required
- transitory
- perceived by the ear
- addressee present
- immediate feedback
- meaning helped by context, body movement, gestures,
- spontaneous
- associative
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Language and Medium
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Writing
- composed by letters/signs
- makes use of punctuation and other graphological devices such as italics.
- produced with effort – tools required
- relatively permanent
- perceived by the eye
- addressee absent
- feedback delayed
- meaning must be made clear within the context
- not spontaneous
- logical
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Grammatical Aspects of Language
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Grammar include everything speakers know about their language
Phonetics : The sounds of language
Phonology : The sound patterns of language
Morphology : The rules of word formation of language
Syntax : The Sentence patterns of Language
Semantics : The system of meaning of Language
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Linguistics and other fields
• Sociolinguistics : the relation between language and
society
• Psycholinguistic : the study of language in understanding
the human mind (language and psychology)
• Translation: the changing of one language to another
• Applied linguistics: the ways in which people teach and
learn languages
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