第3章　语言的属性

3.1　复习笔记

从类人猿、蜜蜂、蝉到斑马的一切动物都能和同类进行交际。而人类语言交际系统的复杂性是任何动物交际系统无法比拟的（当然，我们对动物交流方式的理解仅仅是局外人的眼光而已)。

本章要点：

The properties of language

语言的属性

本章考点：

语言的特有属性：跨时空性，任意性，能产性，可分离性，双重结构性，和文化传递性。

本章内容索引：

I. Communicative versus informative

1．Communicative signals

2．Informative signals

II. Unique properties

1．Displacement

2．Arbitrariness

3．Productivity

4．Cultural transmission

5．Discreteness

6．Duality

III. Other properties

1．Vocal-auditory channel

2．Reciprocity

3．Specialization

4．Non-directionality

5．Rapid fade

I. Communicative versus informative（交际功能与信息功能）

【考点】区分交际功能与信息功能

1．Communicative signals（交际信号）

Communicative signals refer to the behavior used intentionally to provide information.

交际信号指的是有意使用语言传递信息的行为。

2．Informative signals（信息信号）

Informative signals refer to the behavior that provides information, usually unintentionally.

信息信号指的是提供信息的行为，通常是无意的。

II. Unique properties（独特属性）

【考点】名词解释&填空

Design features of language refer to the properties unique for human linguistic system, not shared by animals’ communication system.

语言的定义属性指人类语言系统特有的属性，是动物交际系统所不具备的。

1．Displacement（移位空性）

(1) Definition（定义）

Human language can be used to talk about things and events not present in/removed from the immediate environment. It can be used to refer to past and future time, and to other locations. This property is called displacement.

人类可以用语言自由谈论过去、现在和将来以及别的地方的具体或抽象的事物。这就是语言的移位空性。

(2) Exception to the rule（例外情况）

Animal communication is generally considered to lack this property. However, bee communication has some degree of displacement as a feature, because bee dance can indicate a location some distance away.

动物交流一般不包括这一特征，但蜜蜂的交流包含一定程度的跨时空性，因为蜜蜂能通过跳舞来表示距离较远的地方。

2．Arbitrariness(raised by Saussure)（任意性（由索绪尔提出））

It refers to the fact that the forms of linguistic signs bear no natural relationship to their meaning.(Saussure: the linguistic sign(the signifier and the signified)is arbitrary).

任意性指的是语言形式与其意义之间没有“自然”联系。（索绪尔：语言符号（所指和能指）是任意的）。

3．Productivity（能产性）

It refers to the property that the finite sounds and vocabulary (linguistic resources) of a language can be used to produce infinite meanings. Language-users can create and understand new expressions and sentences they have never heard of before.

语言的发音和词汇（语言资源）是有限的，但是人们能创造出的表达式是无限的。语言的使用者能创造并理解他们从未听过的新的表达方式和句子。

4．Cultural transmission（文化传递性）

It refers to the process whereby language is passed on from one generation to the next.

Humans are not born with the ability to produce utterances in a specific language. Language is acquired, not inherited.

文化传递性指语言代代相传承的过程。

人类并不是天生就有会说某一具体的语言的能力。语言是习得的，不是遗传而来的。

5．Discreteness（可分离性）

It refers to the fact that the sounds used in language are linguistically specific and meaningfully distinctive.

语言都有其特定的语音，并且含义与所有其它声音相区别，这种属性即可分离性。

6．Duality（双重性）

Language is organized at two levels or layers simultaneously. This property is called duality.

①The levels of distinct sounds—secondary units, meaningless.

②The levels of distinct meanings (morphemes/words/sentences/discourses)—primary units, meaningful.

The property of duality makes it possible to use the limited set of distinct sounds to produce a large number of sound combinations which are distinct in meaning. Language users can talk about anything within their knowledge.

语言的组织有两个层次，这种属性被称作双重性。

①语音层面——二级单位、无意义。

②语义层面（词素/单词/句子/语篇）——基本单位、有意义。

双重性使语言以有限语音产生大量的、意义有区别的声音组合。语言使用者可以谈论任何他们了解的东西。

III. Other properties（语言的其他属性）

1．Vocal-auditory channel（声乐听觉通道）

Human linguistic communication is typically generated via the vocal organs and perceived via the ears.

人类语言交流通常由发音器官发出，并通过耳朵听到。

2．Reciprocity（相互作用性）

Any speaker/sender of a linguistic signal can also be a listener/receiver.

任何语言符号的发出者也可以是语言的接收者。

3．Specialization（专业性）

Linguistic signals do not normally serve any other type of purpose, such as breathing or feeding.

The sound waves of speech have no function other than to signal meaning (unlike the audible panting of dogs, which has a biological purpose).

语言符号通常没有其他的目的，例如呼吸或喂食。

话语的声波除了信号含义，没有别的功能（不像狗可听的见的喘息声，有其生理功能）。

4．Non-directionality（无方向性）

Linguistic signals can be picked up by anyone within hearing, even unseen.

语言符号尽管看不到，可以在听得见的距离内被任何人听到。

5．Rapid fade（消失速度快）

Linguistic signals are produced and disappear quickly.

Auditory signals are transitory, and do not await the hearer’s convenience (unlike animal tracks, or writing).

语言符号产生的快，消失的也快。

听觉信号也是转瞬即逝，不管听话人是否听到（不像动物的足迹或书写）。