history of european linguistics
DESCRIPTION
Brief introduction to semiotics and the field of linguisticsTRANSCRIPT
History of European Linguistics
VUB-BNU Summer School“European Languages, culture and educational systems”
Dr. Kamakshi Rajagopal
Structure of the session
Some theory: Language as a system of signs (45min)
Break (15min)
Group exercise (30min): groups of 6, laptops?
Plenary presentation and discussion (30min)
Why Study Language?
• Instrument for communication
• Instrument for our learning
• Insight into our culture
• Insight into our brain
Semiotics = Study of Signs
a + b = a - b x ≥ y ∞ π
:-) :-( ;-)¬ (A∧B) = ¬A∨¬B
Language as a System of Signs
to convey Meaning
Ferdinand De Saussure (1857-1913)
• A Sign is a Concept (signifié) conveyed by a Form (signifiant)
• Arbitrary
TREE ARBRE
BOOM
Ferdinand De Saussure (1857-1913)
• Language– Langue (abstract)– Parole (utterances)
• Synchronic vs diachronic analysis
• Syntagma (relations of succession) vs
Paradigma (relations of substitutability)
Example
• The child catches the ball• The children catch the ball
lightsa lampThe child catches the ballA womanPARA
DIG
MA
SYNTAGMA
Levels of structure
• Phonology: cat /kæt/ vs bat /bæt/
• Morphology: plural cat-s ; children 3rd person sings
• Syntax: The cat, The woman sings
• Semantics: The cat vs the bat
After de Saussure
- Only structure, no meaning > generative grammar
- Meaning drives structure > functionalism
Generative grammar
• Rule-based• Well-formed sentences• Semantics?
“Colourless green ideas sleep furiously”Adj Adj N V
AdvNP VPS
Functionalism
• Meaning is the primary driver of form in language
• Language can be used to perform certain functions
In Europe, two schools of thought: • Prague School Jakobson• Copenhagen School Halliday
Roman Jakobson (1896-1982)
Six functions of language
• Referential function• Expressive function• Conative function• Poetic function• Phatic function• Metalingual function
Sender
Channel
Context
Message Receiver
Code
Reference
Expressive ConativePoetic
Phatic
Metalingual
“Hey, Wow!”
“Hello?”
“John…”
Louisa is talking to John who is at Rock Werchter. Upon hearing a song over the telephone, Louisa says:
“Hey, Wow!!! That song is by Stromae … Papaoutai… Is it ”Papa, ou t’es…” or “Papa, ou tu es”? …….Hello? John, can you hear me?”
“Papa, ou t’es” or “Papa, ou tu es””
Papaoutai
“That song is by Stromae”
Systemic Functional Grammar
Michael Halliday (1925)
Pragmatics
• Intention of the speaker• Speech Acts– Locutionary act: the utterance itself
“It is cold here.”– Illocutionary act: the intended result of the speaker
Request to close the door– Perlocutionary act: the effect of the illocutionary act
The door is closed
Exercises: Language in ads
• What are the signs used? (form and concept)• How is language used in the ad?• What effect is reached?
• Is it a good ad?
References
• About de SaussureBaskin, W. (trans.) (1974). De Saussure, F. Course in General Linguistics, Glasgow: Fontana
• Roman JakobsonJakobson, J. (1962-1987). The Selected Writings of Roman Jakobson, The Hague and Berlin: Mouton.
• M.A.K. HallidayHalliday, M.A.K. (1994). An introduction to functional grammar. London: E. Arnold.
• ChomskyChomsky, N. (1985). Syntactic Structures. Reprint. Berlin and New York, 1985.