语言学1单元.doc

Chapter One
I. Fill in the blanks.
1. Language, broadly speaking, is a means of _______ communication.
2. In any language words can be used in new ways to mean new things and can be combined into innumuberable sentences based on limited rules. This feature is usually termed _____.
3. Language has many functions. We can use language to talk about itself. This function is ______.
4. Theory that primitive man made involuntary vocal noises while performing heavy work has been called __________ theory.
5. The theory that language arose from instinctive emotional cries, expressive of pain or joy has been called _____________ theory.
6. The theory that language arose from human beings instinctive need for contact with his companion has been called the _________ theory.
7. Linguistics is the scientific study of _____________.
8. Modern linguistic is _____________ in the sense that the linguist tries to discover what language is rather than lay down some rules for people to observe.
9. One general principle of linguistic analysis is the primacy of ________ over writing.
10. The description of a language as it changes through time is a ________ study.
11. Saussure put forward two important concepts. ___________ refers to the abstract linguistic system shared by all members of a speech community.
12. Linguistic potential is similar to Saussure’s langue and Chomsky’s _________.
II． Choose the best answer.
13. Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human ______.
a. contact b. communication c. relation d. community
14. Language is ___________.
a. instinctive b. non-instinctive c. static d. genetically transmitted
15. A linguist regards the changes in language and languages use as _________.
a. unnatural b. something to be feared c. natural d. abnormal
16. Which of the following words is entirely arbitrary?
a. tree b. crash c. typewriter d. bang
17. The function of the sentence “Water boils at 100 degrees Centigrade” is _________.
a. interrogative b. directive c. informative d. performative
18. _________ is a grammatical description of a language specially designed as an aid to teaching that language to native or foreign learners.
a. Descriptive grammar b. Prescriptive grammar
c. Pedagogical grammar d. Universal grammar
19. In Chinese when someone breaks a bowl or a plate the host or the people present are likely to say sui sui ping an (every year be safe and happy ) as a means of controlling the forces which the believers feel might affect their lives. Which functions does it perform?
a. Interpersonal b. Emotive c. Performative d. Recreational.
20. Which of the following property of language enables language users to overcome the barriers caused by time and place, due to this feature of language, speakers of a language are free to talk about anything in any situation?
a. Transferability. b. Duality. c. Displacement. d. Arbitrariness
21. Study the following dialogue. What function does it play according to the functions of language?
---A nice day, isn’t it ?
---Right! I really enjoy the sunlight.
a. Emotive b. Phatic c. Performative d. Interpersonal
22. Which branch of linguistics studies the similarities and differences among languages?
a. Diachronic linguistics. b. Synchronic linguistics.
c. Prescriptive linguistics. d. Comparative linguistics.
23. _______ refers to the actual realization of the ideal language user’s knowledge of the rules of his language in utterances.
a. Performance b. Competence c. Langue d. Parole
24. _______ deals with language application to other fields, particularly education.
a. Linguistic geography b. Sociolinguistics
c. Applied linguistics d. Comparative linguistics.
III. Decide whether the following statements are true(T) or false (F).
- 25. Duality is one of the characteristics of human language. It refers to
The fact that language has two levels of structures: the system of sounds and the system of meanings.
-----26. Prescriptive linguistics is more popular than descriptive linguistics, because it can tell us how to speak correct language.
---- 27. Competence and performance refer respectively to a language user’s underlying knowledge about the system of rules and the actual use of language in concrete situations.
---- 28. Language is a means of verbal communication. Therefore, the communication way used by the deaf-mute is not language.
---- 29. Arbitrariness of language makes it potentially creative, and conventionality of language makes a language be passed from generation to generation. As a foreign language learner, the latter is more important for us.
---- 30. By diachronic study we mean to study the changes and development of language.
---- 31. Langue is relatively stable and systematic while parole is subject to personal and situational constraints.
---- 32. Language change is universal, ongoing and arbitrary.
---- 33. In language classrooms nowadays the grammar taught to students is basically descriptive, and more attention is paid to the developing learners’ communicative skills.
---- 34.Language is system of arbitrary, written signs which permit all the people in a given culture, or other people who have learned the system of that culture, to communicate or interact.
---- 35. Saussure’s exposition of synchronic analysis led to the school of historical linguistics.
---- 36. Applied linguistics is the application of linguistic principles and theories to language teaching and learning.