TED演讲:语法重要吗(2)

 　　Speech patterns that deviated¹ from the written rules were considered corruptions², or signs of low social status, 而那些偏离了书面语语法的口语则被认为是错误的，或者是社会地位低下的表现，

　　and many people who had grown up speaking in these ways were forced to adopt the standardized³ form. 于是许多从小就按照这一规则说话的人被迫开始接受标准的语法规则。

　　More recently, however, linguists⁴ have understood that speech is a separate phenomenon from writing with its own regularities⁵ and patterns. 直到最近，语言学家才意识到口语和书面语完全是两码事，口语有它自己的规律性和模式。

　　Most of us learn to speak at such an early age that we don't even remember it. 在我们还不能记事的时候就开始学习说话了。

　　We form our spoken repertoire⁶ through unconscious habits, not memorized rules. 那个时候更多是通过下意识的行为来构建说话技能，而不是记住那些规则。

　　And because speech also uses mood and intonation⁷ for meaning, its structure is often more flexible, 由于口语也会用到语气和语调来传达意思，所以它的结构更加地多样化，

　　adapting to the needs of speakers and listeners. 会根据说话者和听者的需求进行调整。

　　This could mean avoiding complex clauses that are hard to parse⁸ in real time, 这就意味着在说话时应该避免一些难以理解的复杂句子，

　　making changes to avoid awkward pronunciation, or removing sounds to make speech faster. 做出适当调整避免一些尴尬的发音或是通过略读让语速加快。

　　The linguistic⁹ approach that tries to understand and map such differences without dictating¹⁰ correct ones is known as descriptivism. 尝试去理解和比对语法上的这些差异却不定义对错的语言学方法被称为描写主义。

　　Rather than deciding how language should be used, it describes how people actually use it,  相比于决定该如何使用语言，描写主义更倾向于叙述人们实际上是怎样使用语言的，

　　and tracks the innovations they come up with in the process. 并追溯在这一过程中出现的一些新方法。

　　But while the debate between prescriptivism and descriptivism continues, the two are not mutually exclusive. 尽管描写主义和规定主义之间的争论会一直持续下去，但它们二者之间并不是互相排斥的。

　　At its best, prescriptivism is useful for informing people about the most common established patterns at a given point in time. 规定主义可以在某个特定的时间点告诉人们最为通用的确定模式。

　　This is important, not only for formal contexts, but it also makes communication easier between non-native speakers from different backgrounds. 这一点不仅在正式场合很重要，也使得来自不同国家不同背景的非母语人士交流起来更加容易。

　　Descriptivism, on the other hand, gives us insight into how our minds work and the instinctive¹¹ ways in which we structure our view of the world. 另一方面，描写主义会让我们看到自己的想法如何运作以及如何本能地构建自己的世界观。

　　Ultimately, grammar is best thought of as a set of linguistic habits that are constantly being negotiated and reinvented by the entire group of language users. 从根本上说，语法顶多被认为是一系列不断被所有的语言使用者争论和改造的语言习惯。

　　Like language itself, it's a wonderful and complex fabric¹² woven through the contributions of speakers and listeners,  就像语言本身就像一匹精美复杂的布，经由从古至今的说话者，听众，

　　writers and readers, prescriptivists and descriptivists, from both near and far. 作者，读者，规定主义者和描写主义者们的共同努力编织而成。

1 deviated   

v.偏离，越轨( deviate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• On this occasion the plane deviated from its usual flight path. 这一次那架飞机偏离了正常的航线。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• His statements sometimes deviated from the truth. 他的陈述有时偏离事实。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 corruptions   

n.堕落( corruption的名词复数 )；腐化；腐败；贿赂

参考例句：

• He stressed the corruptions of sin. 他强调了罪恶的腐朽。 来自互联网

3 standardized   

adj.标准化的

参考例句：

• We use standardized tests to measure scholastic achievement. 我们用标准化考试来衡量学生的学业成绩。
• The parts of an automobile are standardized. 汽车零件是标准化了的。

4 linguists   

n.通晓数国语言的人( linguist的名词复数 )；语言学家

参考例句：

• The linguists went to study tribal languages in the field. 语言学家们去实地研究部落语言了。 来自辞典例句
• The linguists' main interest has been to analyze and describe languages. 语言学家的主要兴趣一直在于分析并描述语言。 来自辞典例句

5 regularities   

规则性( regularity的名词复数 )； 正规； 有规律的事物； 端正

参考例句：

• They felt that all the regularities in nature have a purpose. 他们感到自然界一切有规律的事物均有目的性。
• Our experience meanwhile is all shot through with regularities. 我们的经验同时也都具有规律性。 来自哲学部分

6 repertoire   

n.(准备好演出的)节目，保留剧目；(计算机的)指令表，指令系统， <美>(某个人的)全部技能；清单，指令表

参考例句：

• There is an extensive repertoire of music written for the flute.有很多供长笛演奏的曲目。
• He has added considerably to his piano repertoire.他的钢琴演奏曲目大大增加了。

7 intonation   

n.语调，声调；发声

参考例句：

• The teacher checks for pronunciation and intonation.老师在检查发音和语调。
• Questions are spoken with a rising intonation.疑问句是以升调说出来的。

8 parse   

v.从语法上分析；n.从语法上分析

参考例句：

• I simply couldn't parse what you just said.我完全无法对你刚说的话作语法分析。
• It causes the parser to parse an NP.它调用分析程序分析一个名词短语。

9 linguistic   

adj.语言的，语言学的

参考例句：

• She is pursuing her linguistic researches.她在从事语言学的研究。
• The ability to write is a supreme test of linguistic competence.写作能力是对语言能力的最高形式的测试。

10 dictating   

v.大声讲或读( dictate的现在分词 )；口授；支配；摆布

参考例句：

• The manager was dictating a letter to the secretary. 经理在向秘书口授信稿。 来自辞典例句
• Her face is impassive as she listens to Miller dictating the warrant for her arrest. 她毫无表情地在听米勒口述拘留她的证书。 来自辞典例句

11 instinctive   

adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的

参考例句：

• He tried to conceal his instinctive revulsion at the idea.他试图饰盖自己对这一想法本能的厌恶。
• Animals have an instinctive fear of fire.动物本能地怕火。

12 fabric   

n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织

参考例句：

• The fabric will spot easily.这种织品很容易玷污。
• I don't like the pattern on the fabric.我不喜欢那块布料上的图案。