Mila university Center
Linguistics third year
Teacher: Dr. BENNACER Fouzia
Lecture Seven: Functions of Language
Introduction
In linguistics, the functionalist school approaches language in terms of the functions it performs,
associated with the Prague School, the approach has been concerned with the way elements in a
particular language accomplish these functions.
R. Jakobson, a structural linguist, defined six functions of language when it is put for the purpose
of communication (Communication Functions):
The referential function (informational function): it is a kind of language used to give or
ask for information, it is neutral and objective; no feelings and emotions are involved.
e.g. "The autumn leaves have all fallen now."
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The emotive function: it is a kind of language through which speakers express themselves,
whether a person is experiencing feelings of happiness, sadness, grief or otherwise. It is
best exemplified by interjections e.g. "Wow, what a view!", and other expressions such as
I think, I believe, as fa as I am concerned…
The conative function: it is a kind of language used to convince the listener. It engages
the Addressee (receiver) directly and is best illustrated by imperatives, e.g. "Tom! Come
inside and eat!"
The metalingual (alternatively called "metalinguistic" or "reflexive") function: is the use
of language to check whether what has been said is comprehensible. Such expressions
like: is it OK? Are you following? Can I go on? Are expressions of the metalingual
function.
Mila university Center
Linguistics third year
Teacher: Dr. BENNACER Fouzia
The phatic function: is language for the sake of interaction. It can be observed in
greetings and casual discussions of the weather, particularly with strangers. It also
provides the keys to open, maintain, verify or close the communication channel:
"Hello?", "Ok?", "Hummm", "Bye"...in the phatic function, it is not what one says that
matters but the fact of saying it. Some linguists call it ‘sweet-nothing’; it is nothing in
meaning but it is sweet in terms of human relations, some others call it ‘small talk’ and
other ‘empty talk’. Remarks about the weather, in the British culture, are a good example
The poetic function: it is a kind of language used to show the aesthetic (beautiful) side of
the language, it focuses on the message for its own sake. Prose and poetry are good
examples.
Besides, Jackobson suggested that each speech event (piece of communication) should have:
1. The addresser: the speaker
2. The addressee: the listener
3. The message: it is sent from the addresser to the addressee
4. The context: the message must be sent in an appropriate context
5. The contact: there should be a relation between the addresser and the addressee
6. The code: it could be oral, written.
Jackobson related the six factors to the six functions. If communication is much going with
contact, the function of language that is dominated is the phatic function. If communication if
directed to the listener, the function of language that is dominated isthe conative function. If
communication is to check whether the addressee and the addresser are following the same code,
the function of language that is dominated isthe metalingual function. If communication
Mila university Center
Linguistics third year
Teacher: Dr. BENNACER Fouzia
concerns more the addresser, the function of language that is dominated isthe emotive function.
however, sometimes we can not determine which function dominates a speech event e.g.
I feel like a cup of tea: it can be the emotive function
It can be the phatic function
It can be the poetic function
In addition, Halliday distinguished three distinctive functions of language (or
metafunctions). The ideational (or experiential), The textual function, The interpersonal
function.
The ideational (or experiential) function is the conveying of semantic content
representing information about our experience of the external world (including our own
minds).
The textual function is the linking of linguistic elements to other linguistic elements, so
that the various parts of a text can be integrated into a coherent and cohesive whole and
related to the wider context of our speech or writing.
The interpersonal function is the establishment and maintenance of social relations,
including persuading other people to do things or to believe things.
