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The broad general findings of the new science are:
描写语言学的主要研究成果有如下几项：
1. All languages are systems of human conventions , not systems of natural laws.
一、所有的语言都只是人为习俗的体系，而不是自然法则的体系。不论是研究何种语言，
The first-and essential-step in the study of any language is observing and setting down precisely what happens when native speakers speak it.
第一步，一也是最根本的一步--就是观察并准确无误地记录以该语言为母语的人使用语言的情况。
2. Each language is unique in its pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.
二、每种语言的语音、语法和词汇都有其与众不同的特点。
It cannot be described in terms of logic or of some theoretical, ideal language.
任何语言都不能通过逻辑或从某种理论上的、理想化的语言的角度来进行描述，
It cannot be described in terms of any other language, or even in terms of its own past.
也不能从任何别的语言的角度来描述，甚至不能用其自身的早期形式来描述。
3. All languages are dynamic rather than static, and hence a "rule" in any language can only be a statement of contemporary practice. Change is constant-and normal
三、一切语言都是发展的，而不是静止不变的。因此，任何语言的"规则''都只能说明其现阶段的用法情况。规则发生变化是经常性的--也是正常的现象。
4. "Correctness" can rest only upon usage, for the simple reason that there is nothing else for it to rest on. And all usage is relative.
四、语言使用的"正确性"只能根据习惯用法来评判，原因很简单，除此而外别无其他评判标准。而所有的习惯用法都是相对的。
From these propositions it follows that a dictionary is good only insofar as it is a comprehensive and accurate description of current usage.
根据以上这些观点应该可以得出这样的结论：一部词典只有当它能全面而准确地描述语词的现时用法时才算是好词典，
And to be comprehensive it must include some indication of social and regional associations.
而要做到全面，它就必须包含对一些社会性和区域性等方面情况的描述。
New dictionaries are needed because English changed more in the past two generations than at any other time in its history.
人们需要新词典是因为英语在过去这两代人的时间里所发生的变化比以往任何时期都要大。
It has had to adapt to extraordinary cultural and technological changes, two world wars, unparalleled changes in transportation and communication, and unprecedented movements of populations.
新词典必须使自己适应以下新时代的情况：文化与科技的突飞猛进、两次世界大战、交通运输和通讯方面的无比巨大的发展变化以及规模空前的人口流动。
More subtly , but pervasively, it has changed under the influence of mass education and the growth of democracy.
更加微妙，但却非常普遍的是，教育的普及和民主的发展也给英语带来一些影响。
