The Language functions they point out the ability of people to start a conversation and express their ideas, emotions, theories and orders through words. That is, it is the ability of the human being to give a specific intention to his speech..
For example, the language used at work is not the same as that used at home. The former stands out for being more formal, while the way of speaking that is used inside the house is usually colloquial because when conversing with family or friends, people are more spontaneous and less careful when selecting words.
That is why the functions of language have different purposes and are adjusted to the type of discourse that is intended to be transmitted or to the kind of communication that is to be maintained with the receiver of the message..
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The functions of language are 6 and were named as follows: referential, appellative, emotional, phatic, metalinguistic and poetic. This classification was elaborated by the philologist Roman Jakobson (1896-1982), who in the middle of the 20th century devoted himself to studying the various forms of communication.
This Russian linguist came to the conclusion that people use different tones of voice and terms when speaking, since each conversation has a different purpose.
However, it must be taken into account that the sender (subject who expresses his opinion), receiver and the message are not the only elements that comprise the functions of language; the language and the means of communication are also important, such as letters or social networks.
In this way, it is perceived that the purpose is that the message is delivered on time and is understood by all interlocutors..
Before explaining the functions of language, it should be noted that two or more linguistic intentions (expressive, conative, informative or aesthetic) may intervene throughout a conversation; but generally only one predominates, as will be seen below:
It is when the issuer focuses on detailing the events that occur in the world, but cannot express his beliefs or opinions because he would be altering the truth of the events. For this reason, the purpose of the representative function is to portray external reality.
It can be said that the issuer is in charge of elaborating objective speeches in order to present exact and verifiable information. This function is used especially by researchers, scientists and journalists, although it is also found in certain everyday expressions. Examples of the referential function:
- Panama was part of Colombia until 1903.
- In winter most trees wither.
- World War II ended in 1945.
- In many countries they continue to extend the quarantine to prevent an increase in the number of infections.
This function focuses on the receiver, as it is expected that he will react in some way when reading or listening to the transmitted message. Therefore, the appellative phrases stand out as requests for help, orders or warnings and abound in the academic field, work and even at home.
It is a function widely used in the field of advertising, where it is sought to attract or alert the viewer. Grammatically, the appealing messages are characterized by including question marks or exclamation marks and addressing specific people. Some sentences that use the appellative function of language are:
- Maria, can you tell me when the quarantine ends?
- Professor, excuse me, would you explain the activity again, please?
- You need to finish the report today!!
- If you don't keep your promises, sooner or later you will see the consequences.
The emotional function is the most subjective of language, because its main arguments are the states of mind of the issuer. That is, it is the ability of a person to speak or write about their thoughts, emotions, preferences, desires, prejudices and feelings. Therefore, it is a totally personal function..
Emotional messages are known for using the verb in the first person, resorting to exclamation marks and interjections (short phrases such as ay, eh, ah, uy and oh). Examples of sentences with the expressive function:
- Ay, why will bad luck haunt me?
- She lent me that book that changed my life.
- I know better times will come.
- Sometimes I feel like I haven't been productive this year.
It is one that is intended to start a conversation, stay active or end. The phatic function seeks that the means of communication is adequate to transmit information fluently.
It is used to start conversations, answer calls, announce that we are paying attention, to know if the receiver is receiving the message correctly and to say goodbye.
Among the most common phatic expressions are:
- Hello, say?
- If I understand.
- Good morning, I am attentive.
- Ok go on.
- Good Morning.
- Good afternoon.
- Goodbye.
- See you another day.
The most important aspect of the metalinguistic function is the content of the message. This function refers to the ability of the speaker to speak or write about the language itself. Therefore, it is used to explain the meaning of words and ask about the correct use of grammar rules..
This feature is relevant when studying a new language as it allows people to compare their mother tongue with the one they are learning.
Here are some examples:
- Qualifying adjectives are used to enhance the qualities of the subject.
- Daniel, what does bizarre mean?
- In Venezuela it is said foolishness to fainting spells that are caused by panic.
- Ana, how would you translate the word cool?
What is essential in the poetic function is how the information is transmitted, since the purpose of the sender is to adorn the speech in order to motivate or conquer the receiver. That is why he uses various literary devices, such as metaphors, rhymes, paradoxes, hyperbole and alliteration..
This function is widely used in the literary field, especially in poems, verses, tongue twisters, riddles and sayings. Examples of sentences that use the poetic function of language are:
- "Oh, the poor princess with the pink mouth / wants to be a swallow, wants to be a butterfly." (Verses of Rubén Darío).
- "Not all that glitters is gold".
- "Today I tangle unraveling unraveled yesterday".
Here are some sentences with the aim of identifying which function of the language they belong to:
- "When you tell stories, count how many stories you tell".
- The verb is the one that determines the action exercised by the subject.
- If you want a better future, vote blue!
- The Spanish-American War lasted 3 months and 17 days.
- Oh, I'm freezing to death!
- Lord, can I have the bill, please?
- Luis, finish the homework and come to dinner!
- "The truth suffers, but it does not seem." (Verse of Saint Teresa of Jesus).
- Students know that the value of pi is 3.14159.
- Your eyes shine like the stars and your lips are similar to a cherry.
- Raiza, what is the difference between articles and pronouns?
- Hi Andrés, I understand.
- I am optimistic, soon I will get a new job.
- Copied the message, over and out.
- Aha, Elena, you always want to be right.
- "To bad weather, good face".
- Flipear is a verb that derives from English from American English to flip y means shake or shake.
- The inhabitants of America are characterized by being hybrids, as they are a mixture between Africans, indigenous people and Europeans.
Metalinguistic function of language.
Aesthetic function of language.
Language referential function.
Emotional function of language.
Persuasive function of language.
Poetic function of language.
Language types.
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