FASCINATING, BUT UNANSWERED: A CHALLENGE FOR CONTEMPORARY LINGUISTS
FASCINATING, BUT UNANSWERED: A CHALLENGE FOR CONTEMPORARY LINGUISTS

Summary/Abstract: Fascinating, but Unanswered: A Challenge for Contemporary Linguists. This paper aims at pointing out some difficulties and problems of descriptive linguistics under practical research situations. After briefly reviewing the history of descriptive linguistics, especially about synchronic and diachronic approaches in Section 1, Saussure’s treatment of “time duration” in synchronic linguistics is discussed in the following Section. In Section 3, the restriction of the scope of Saussure’s approach to linguistic research will be discussed, and Martinet’s functional view of diachronic phonology will be introduced. In the following Section, the issue of descriptive and explanatory approach is discussed on the basis of Martinet’s and Arisaka’s frameworks on phonology. Both linguists regarded explanation as important elements in phonological researches. Finally, the problem concerning the distinction between “synchrony” and “diachrony” in descriptive linguistics is mentioned, and the complicated issue of language change, which is still unanswered, will be revealed.

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