Throughout human history, people have held many mystic and popular views of language. These ideas are widely accepted among ordinary people, though most of them lack scientific support.
纵观人类历史，人们对语言抱有许多神秘主义与通俗看法。这些观念在普通民众中广为流传，但其中大部分缺乏科学依据。
One ancient mystic view regards language as something divine. It believes that words have magical power. In many old stories and religions, names and special speeches can bring good fortune or disaster. For example, some people think that saying certain words could attract blessings or drive away evil spirits.
一种古老的神秘主义观点把语言看作神圣之物，认为词语拥有魔力。在许多古老传说与宗教当中，名字和特殊话语可以带来好运或者灾祸。例如，有些人认为说出特定言辞能够招来福佑、驱走邪灵。
Another popular belief is that language is only a tool for expressing ideas. According to this view, thoughts exist first, and language is just a set labels to describe ready‑made ideas. People can think completely without language. Language is like a coat, which we put on our thoughts.
另一种通俗观点认为语言仅仅是表达思想的工具。该观点认为思想先存在，语言只是一套标签，用来描述已经成型的想法。人们完全可以脱离语言进行思考。语言就像一件外衣，我们把它套在思想外面。
A third common opinion holds that grammar rules are absolute standards. It assumes that some forms of speech are “correct” while others are “bad” or “ungrammatical”. People should strictly follow fixed grammar rules in all situations. This view ignores the fact that language is always changing, and oral language has its own rules different from written language.
第三种常见看法认为语法规则是绝对标准。它认定某些言语形式是 “正确的”，另一些则是 “错误的” 或者 “不合语法的”，人们在任何场合都必须严格遵守固定语法。这种观点忽视一个事实：语言一直在变化，口头语言拥有区别于书面语的自身规则。
Modern linguistics has examined these popular views. It points out that language is a social, symbolic system. Words have no supernatural magic power. Thought and language influence each other rather than one simply serving the other. Besides, grammar is descriptive instead of merely prescriptive. It describes how people actually speak, not only telling people how they should speak.
现代语言学对这些通俗观点进行了审视。它指出语言是社会性的符号系统。词语并不具备超自然的魔力。思想与语言相互影响，而不是一方单纯为另一方服务。此外，语法是描述性而非单纯规定性的；语法描述人们实际如何说话，而不只是规定人们应该怎么说话。