1. Unit 9 Language

2. Language:Language: the ability to acquire and use complex systems of communication, particularly the human ability to do sothe ability to acquire and use complex systems of communication, particularly the human ability to do so Thinkers such as Rousseau:Thinkers such as Rousseau: language originated from emotionslanguage originated from emotions Kant:Kant: have held that it originated from rational and logical thought. have held that it originated from rational and logical thought. 20th-century philosophers such as Wittgenstein:20th-century philosophers such as Wittgenstein: argued that philosophy is really the study of language.argued that philosophy is really the study of language. Major figures in linguistics include Ferdinand de Saussure, Noam Chomsky.Major figures in linguistics include Ferdinand de Saussure, Noam Chomsky.

3. a language family: A group of languages that descend from a common ancestora language family: A group of languages that descend from a common ancestor The Indo-European family is the most widely spoken and includes English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and Hindi;The Indo-European family is the most widely spoken and includes English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and Hindi; Sino-Tibetan family, which includes Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, Taiwanese Hokkien, and Standard Tibetan;Sino-Tibetan family, which includes Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, Taiwanese Hokkien, and Standard Tibetan; Afro-Asiatic family, which includes Arabic, Amharic, Somali, and Hebrew;Afro-Asiatic family, which includes Arabic, Amharic, Somali, and Hebrew;

4. Theories about the origin of language differ in regard to their basic assumptions about what language is.Theories about the origin of language differ in regard to their basic assumptions about what language is. continuity-based theories: language is so complex that one cannot imagine it simply appearing from nothing in its final form, but that it must have evolved from earlier pre-linguistic systems among our pre-human ancestors.continuity-based theories: language is so complex that one cannot imagine it simply appearing from nothing in its final form, but that it must have evolved from earlier pre-linguistic systems among our pre-human ancestors. discontinuity-based: language is such a unique human trait that it cannot be compared to anything found among non-humans and that it must therefore have appeared suddenly in the transition from pre-hominids to early man.discontinuity-based: language is such a unique human trait that it cannot be compared to anything found among non-humans and that it must therefore have appeared suddenly in the transition from pre-hominids to early man. Similarly, theories based on Chomsky's generative view of language see language mostly as an innate faculty that is largely genetically encoded, whereas functionalist theories see it as a system that is largely cultural, learned through social interaction.Similarly, theories based on Chomsky's generative view of language see language mostly as an innate faculty that is largely genetically encoded, whereas functionalist theories see it as a system that is largely cultural, learned through social interaction.

5. A mural in Teotihuacan, Mexico (c. 2nd century) depicting a person emitting a speech scroll from his mouth, symbolizing speech

6. Cuneiform is the first known form of written language, but spoken language predates writing by at least tens of thousands of years.

7. Braille writing represents language in a tactile form.

8. "The Tower of Babel" Humans have speculated about the origins of language throughout history. The Biblical myth of the Tower of Babel is one such account; other cultures have different stories of how language arose.

10. Language points Interwine:Interwine: InterdepartmentalInterdepartmental IntersectionIntersection Supernatural:Supernatural: SuperrichSuperrich Super-efficientSuper-efficient Super-fitSuper-fit

11. Charming: pleasing or attractiveCharming: pleasing or attractive In 1984 he wrote a very charming book about his father.In 1984 he wrote a very charming book about his father. She used to be a charming young lady.She used to be a charming young lady.

12. Key to reading comprehension 1. Theories of divine origin, evolutionary development, and language as a human invention have all been suggested.1. Theories of divine origin, evolutionary development, and language as a human invention have all been suggested. 2. This is because the earliest deciphered written records, which are barely six thousand years old, appear so late in the history of the development of language that they provide no clue to its origin.2. This is because the earliest deciphered written records, which are barely six thousand years old, appear so late in the history of the development of language that they provide no clue to its origin. 3. Scholars in the latter part of the nineteenth century were only interested in “hard science”; they ridiculed, ignored and even banned discussions of language origin.3. Scholars in the latter part of the nineteenth century were only interested in “hard science”; they ridiculed, ignored and even banned discussions of language origin. 4. The Hindus attributed our unique language to a female god called Sarasvati, the wife of Brahama, the creator of the universe.4. The Hindus attributed our unique language to a female god called Sarasvati, the wife of Brahama, the creator of the universe.

13. 5. Panini wrote a detailed grammar of Sanskrit in which the phonological rules revealed the earlier pronunciation for use in religious worship.5. Panini wrote a detailed grammar of Sanskrit in which the phonological rules revealed the earlier pronunciation for use in religious worship. 6. In the author’s opinion, although those myths, customs and superstitions do not tell us very much about language origin, they do tell us something about the importance ascribed to language.6. In the author’s opinion, although those myths, customs and superstitions do not tell us very much about language origin, they do tell us something about the importance ascribed to language. 7. A common view among the classical Greeks, expressed by Socreates in Cratylus, is that at some ancient time there was a “legislator” who gave the correct, natural name to everything, and that words echoed the essence of their meanings.7. A common view among the classical Greeks, expressed by Socreates in Cratylus, is that at some ancient time there was a “legislator” who gave the correct, natural name to everything, and that words echoed the essence of their meanings.

14. 8. Jean-Jacques Rousseau proposed that the earliest manifestations of language were “cries of nature”.8. Jean-Jacques Rousseau proposed that the earliest manifestations of language were “cries of nature”. 9. Jespersen held that language derived from song as an expressive rather than a communicative need, and that love was the great stimulus for language development.9. Jespersen held that language derived from song as an expressive rather than a communicative need, and that love was the great stimulus for language development. 10. Although those proposed theories cannot be verified by scientific means, they still offer us insights into the nature and development of language.10. Although those proposed theories cannot be verified by scientific means, they still offer us insights into the nature and development of language.

15. Key to paraphrase 1. Although it is difficult for linguists to find scientific evidence for the speculations on language origin, those speculations have in some way suggested the nature and development of language. That has caused the great Danish linguist Otto Jespersen to say that the study of language will continue to touch on the origin of language and the evolution and future development of language.1. Although it is difficult for linguists to find scientific evidence for the speculations on language origin, those speculations have in some way suggested the nature and development of language. That has caused the great Danish linguist Otto Jespersen to say that the study of language will continue to touch on the origin of language and the evolution and future development of language. 2. People’s belief in the divine origin of a language is closely connected with the mystical properties attributed to the language they speak.2. People’s belief in the divine origin of a language is closely connected with the mystical properties attributed to the language they speak. 3. Contrary to what is expressed in the childish song, names- calling might offend or even insult others, lead to punishment by law, and is feared by people.3. Contrary to what is expressed in the childish song, names- calling might offend or even insult others, lead to punishment by law, and is feared by people.

16. 4. One cannot justify the divine origin of language, just as one cannot provide scientific evidence for the existence of God.4. One cannot justify the divine origin of language, just as one cannot provide scientific evidence for the existence of God. 5. Considering our lack of knowledge about prehistory, we do not know more about the original language than the Egyptian pharaoh.5. Considering our lack of knowledge about prehistory, we do not know more about the original language than the Egyptian pharaoh. 6. Although there is much evidence to the contrary, till the twentieth century, people still held the idea that the earliest form of language came from people’s imitations and echoes of sounds in nature.6. Although there is much evidence to the contrary, till the twentieth century, people still held the idea that the earliest form of language came from people’s imitations and echoes of sounds in nature.

17. 7. Jespersen proposed a more interesting theory about language origin. He held that language came into being not because of people’s need to communicate, but because of their need to express.7. Jespersen proposed a more interesting theory about language origin. He held that language came into being not because of people’s need to communicate, but because of their need to express. 8. Similar to the theory of the divine origin of language, these other theories are not supported by scientific evidence.8. Similar to the theory of the divine origin of language, these other theories are not supported by scientific evidence.

19. Key to paraphrase 1.Although it is difficult for linguists to find scientific evidence for the speculations on language origin, those speculations have in some way suggested the nature and development of language. That has caused the great Danish linguist Otto Jespersen to say that the study of language will continue to touch on the origin of language and the evolution and future development of language. 2.People’s belief in the divine origin of language is closely connected with the mystical properties attributed to the language they speak.

20. 3. Contrary to what is expressed in the childish song, names-calling might offend or even insult others, lead to punishment by law, and is feared by people. 4. One cannot justify the divine origin of language, just as one cannot provide scientific evidence for the existence of God. 5. Considering our lack of knowledge about prehistory, we do not know more about the original language than the Egyptian pharaoh. 6. Although there is much evidence to the contrary, till the twentieth century, people still held the idea that the earliest form of language came from people’s imitations and echoes of sounds in nature. 7. Jespersen proposed a more interesting theory about language origin. He held that language came into being not because of people’s need to communicate, but because of their need to express. 8. Similar to the theory of the divine origin of language, these other theories are not supported by scientific evidence.

21. Key to translation 1.His apartment is replete with Empire furniture. 2.He successfully warded off his opponent’s fatal blow. / He succeeded in warding off his opponent’s fatal blow. 3.Farmers ascribed the poor harvest of this year to the drought. 4.The bird’s habit is being destroyed and the species has nearly died out. 5.The high-tech industry is usually associated with western developed countries.