Language Functions: Jakobson

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Roman Jakobson
(1896-1982)
 Language Functions
• Roman Jakobson defined six functions of language (or communication
functions), according to which an effective act of verbal
communication can be described. Each of the functions has an
associated factor. For this work, Jakobson was influenced by Karl
Bühler's organon model, to which he added the poetic, phatic and
metalingual functions.
 Language Functions
• The referential function: corresponds to the factor of Context and describes a
situation, object or mental state. The descriptive statements of the referential
function can consist of both definite descriptions and deictic words, e.g. "The autumn
leaves have all fallen now." Similarly, the referential function is associated with an
element whose true value is under questioning especially when the truth value is
identical in both the real and assumptive universe.
• The poetic function: focuses on "the message for its own sake" (the code itself, and
how it is used) and is the operative function in poetry as well as slogans.
• The emotive (alternatively called "expressive" or "affective") function: relates to the
Addresser (sender) and is best exemplified by interjections and other sound changes
that do not alter the denotative meaning of an utterance but do add information
about the Addresser's (speaker's) internal state, e.g. "Wow, what a view!"
 Language Functions
• The conative function: engages the Addressee (receiver) directly and is best
illustrated by vocatives and imperatives, e.g. "Tom! Come inside and eat!"
• The phatic function: is language for the sake of interaction and is therefore
associated with the Contact/Channel factor. The Phatic Function 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"...
• The metalingual (alternatively called "metalinguistic" or "reflexive")
function: is the use of language (what Jakobson calls "Code") to discuss or
describe itself.
 Language Functions
The model that served as the foundation for Roman Jakobson’s expansion and
development of the communicative functions of language was originally
developed by Karl Bühler. His system, known as the Organon Model,
represented the three primary components of language. Bühler “developed his
conception of the triadic instrumental character of language on the basis of
the three fundaments of the speech situation, namely addresser, addressee, and
things as the objects of discourse .Figure A is his original depiction of these
three fundaments, while his later work, shown in Figure B, considers not only
the focus of conversation but also the function which each performs:
expressing the addresser’s emotion, the appeal towards the addressee, or
reference to or representation of an object or the state of affairs.
Language Functions
 Language Functions
• Roman Jakobson proposed three additional functions, making a total
of six fundamental factors, each assuming an orientation within the
verbal message:
The table below is a compilation that contains a brief overview of each function’s
classification, orientation, role, and an example to illustrate its use:

Classification Strongest Function Examples

Factor
Referential Context descriptions, contextual Our business hours are 9am-5pm,
information Monday through Friday.

Emotive Addresser interjections/expressions of Oh, man… Awesome! Whew!

emotional state
Conative Addressee concerned with Go on, open it! Shoo.
commanding; vocative or imperative Get out of here. Check this out.
addressing of the receiver

Phatic Contact concerns channel of Hey!

communication; performs social task Mmmhmmm….How about
as opposed to conveying information; that?
to establish, prolong, or discontinue Really? No way.
conversation

Metalinguistic Code requires language analysis; using Noun, adjective, code- switching
language to discuss language Water is a non-count noun,
right?

Poetic/Aesthetic Message involves choosing words But, soft! What light through
carefully; the art of words, often self- yonder window breaks?
reflective
 Language Functions
• These classifications are by no means intended to be considered as
mutually exclusive; rather, each utterance can be classified into the
function whose primary purpose it serves, but many speech events
will serve a complex purpose. As such, it is sometimes up to the
discretion of the speaker, listener, or analyst to determine the intent
behind what is being expressed, which can pose challenges in
communication, particularly for speakers with lower levels of
proficiency.
 Language Functions

In “The Speech Event and the Functions of Language,” Jakobson (1995) explains that “although we distinguish

six basic aspects of language, we could…hardly find verbal messages that would fulfill only one function. The

diversity lies not in a monopoly of some one of these several functions, but in a different hierarchical order of

functions”. The Necker cube, whose lower-most left or uppermost right corner may be perceived as being

closest to the observer, is illustrative of the subjectivity with which utterances may be perceived and their

functions classified, but at least one of the six functions in Jakobson’s model will always be present and

essential to effective communication. The sections that follow will describe the functions included in

Jakobson’s model and discuss considerations for each in the field of TESOL.
 References

• Middleton, Richard (April 1, 1990). Studying Popular Music.

Philadelphia, UK: McGraw-Hill Education. p. 241. ISBN 0-335-15275-9.
• Waugh, Linda R. (1980). "The Poetic Function in the Theory of Roman
Jakobson". Poetics Today. Duke University Press. 2 (1): 57–
82. doi:10.2307/1772352.
• "The Real Functions of Language". Paper Written. January 16, 2017.
Retrieved August 18, 2017.
• Angela C. Tribus, The Communicative Functions of Language: An
Exploration of Roman Jakobson’s Theory in TESOL, Thesis, Spring 5-1-
2017.