邮局.doc

linguistics has the following features, which is distinguished from the linguistics of previous:Priority is given to spoken language;Focus is on synchronic study of language, rather than on diachronic study of language;Modern linguistics is descriptive rather than prescriptive in nature;Modern linguistics is theoretically rather than pedagogically oriented. Modern linguistics strive to construct theories of language that can account for language in general. 1. Creativity is one of the features of human language. It refers to the fact that language provides opportunities for sending messages that have never been sent before and for understanding novel messages. The grammatical rules and the words ofa language are finite, but the sentences are infinite. Every speaker uses langue creatively. 2. In sociolinguistics, taboo refers toa prohibition on the use of, mention of or association with particular objects, actions, or persons. Euphemism is an expression that substitutes one which may be seen as offensive or disturbing to the addressee. Taboo and euphemism are actually two sides of the same coin. Taboos are usually expressed by their euphemistic expressions in our daily life. 3. The general roles language plays are called metafunctions by Hallidy. There are three metafunctions: Ideational function ---- we use language to talk about our experience of the world, including