Introduction to Linguistics Ajarn Teeraporn Plailek Faculty of

Introduction to Linguistics Ajarn Teeraporn Plailek Faculty of Education, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University

What is linguistics?

Language and Linguistics

What is the language ?

What is the language ? • • A means of conveying thought and ideas A reflection of speakers’ identity An aid in group affiliations and social mobility A tool for recording human history

1 Universal Properties of Language sounds words Difference s meaning structures Basic characteristics The principles § Consonant sounds Vowel sounds § noun, verb, adjective, etc. § SVO, SOV, VSO

1 Universal Properties of Language • Creativity • Arbitrariness • Discreteness • Mutability • Inaccessibility

2 Linguists’ Approach to Language • Linguistic competence & Linguistic performance • Prescriptive grammar & Descriptive grammar

Linguistic competence constitutes unconscious knowledge of language, but that knowledge is tacit, implicit. (Richard Nordquist, 2017) produce utterances understand recognize The subconscious knowledge underlying speakers’ ability to use their languages

Linguistic performance is the actual use of language in concrete situation. (Matthews, P. H. , 2014) The slips of the tougue 'noble tons of soil' for 'noble sons of toil. ' The tireness

Linguistic competence Linguistic performance The subconscious knowledge underlying speakers’ ability to use their languages The speakers are able to apply the knowledge in a real situation

A descriptive grammar is an account of a language that seeks to describe how it is used objectively, accurately, systematically, and comprehensively. (Encyclopedia. com) § Explanation the fact of language use § Explain how language works § No assumption of correctness or appropriateness I didn’t do nothing.

A prescriptive grammar is an account of a language that sets out rules for how it should be used and for what should not be used, based on norms derived from a particular model of grammar. § This group believes that some languages are better than others § It has rules of usage that people should follow in order to speak and write correctly and appropriately I didn’t do anything.

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