用$替换$：

var $validate = array(
    'name' => array(
        'notempty' => array(
            'rule' => array('notempty'),
            'message' => 'This field cannot be left blank',
        ),
        'unique'=>array(
            'rule' => 'isUnique',
            'message' => 'Already taken'
        ),
        'pattern'=>array(
             'rule'      => '[a-zA-Z]+',
             'message'   => 'Only letters allowed',
        ),
    ),
);