Expressive function of language: what it is, characteristics and examples

The functions of language are the various forms that human beings have of communicating verbally, transmitting messages based on different intentions of the issuer.

Among them, we find the expressive function of language, where the emitter's emotions and feelings take on special relevance, since they are sentences with an important subjective component.

Next we are going to delve into this expressive function, in addition to seeing its linguistic features and we will put some examples to finish understanding it a little better.

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The expressive function of language

The expressive function of language, also called the emotional or symptomatic function, is a linguistic function that is used for the purpose of communicating moods, feelings, emotions, beliefs or other subjective aspects to a receiver of the issuer.

It is one of the 6 functions of language described by the Russian philologist and linguist Roman Jakobson along with the appellative, the referential, the phatic, the poetic and the metalinguistics.

This type of function is one of the most used and its objective is to show the intention of the speaker when he transmits certain information. This function is based on the subjectivity of the sender, so whoever transmits the message plays the most important role in communication, since it is that person who expresses her feelings to her receiver.

In addition to transmitting information, the speaker expresses at the same time her attitude towards what he says and can also discover his personality traits.

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Linguistic aspects

The expressive or emotional function of language usually makes use of specific verb forms. Since this almost always refers to the sender of the message, the usual thing is that they are formulated by conjugating the verbs in the first person.

You seem to me the most beautiful person in the world.

However, messages with expressive function can also be issued using impersonal formulas, such as the following example:

How beautiful is the sea!

In this case, the expressive function is used, since the sender is transmitting a message loaded with an emotional component, although he does it through an impersonal way. In other words, the sender's feelings are being shown but in the sentence he emits he does not use first-person verb forms.

Another characteristic of the expressive function of language is that it usually uses the subjunctive mood, de exclamatory sentences, interjections or onomatopoeia with the aim of highlighting the feelings of the transmitter. Desires, preferences and sensations are also subjectively expressed.

I wish Susana would love me!

Ouch how painful!

It can also be said that the expressive function of language can be highlighted through aspects of non-verbal language, such as gestures, tics or the intensity of the voice. A sentence can acquire a truly emotional tone not only with the words that are used, but also with the way in which the issuer emits it, using non-verbal language that reinforces the verbal expressions themselves said.

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The expressive function and the media

During the early stages of life, human beings have only non-verbal language to express their moods. Babies, even if they don't know how to speak, manage in one way or another to convey what they want to convey (hunger, pain, joy) through their gestures, their crying, inflections of the voice and contacts bodily In fact, it could be said that children only have affective language to convey their moods.

However, as we grow and master verbal language, we acquire the ability to use the other functions of language. The gestures of the adult human may be intentional and have more than one interpretation, but the message Directly expresses itself using words although reinforcing it with non-verbal language, as we have commented before.

This is something that we can see relatively easily with the media. These platforms transmit opinion messages on an interesting question for a community, pretending that the opinion public take a certain position in the face of reality and, as far as possible, modify their behavior in the direction that the medium want. Thus, his message has a subjective component in which he uses sentimental expressions to awaken emotions in the audience. Thus, we are not only talking about the expressive function of language, but also about the appeal.

Opinion messages can take different forms, all of them resorting to the expressive or emotional function of language to a greater or lesser extent.

1. Interview

The interview consists of one or more journalists asking questions of the person being interviewed. These questions usually revolve around a monographic topic or in relation to the interviewee's own history and life.

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2. Collaborations

In the collaborations, a prestigious person expresses her opinion, usually periodically, on current issues of the day or of the week. Sometimes their opinion is about very specific and specialized areas, in which case it is called specialized criticism.

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3. Debates and colloquia

In debates and discussions, different people they talk about a topic that raises passions and for which they usually do not agree. Due to this, it is practically inevitable that they resort to the expressive function of language, exposing the emotions that the subject under discussion arouses in them and what they think of the opinions of others.

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4. Editorial

The editorial section are texts that express the opinion of a medium, generally a newspaper, on a specific issue. Although the objective of newspapers is to convey information in the most objective way possible, it is inevitable that their editor and editors have certain opinions regarding what is happening in the world, the editorial space being the place reserved for making public such opinions.

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Examples of sentences with expressive function

Now that we have seen what the expressive function of language is and what its linguistic characteristics are, let's see a few sentences as an example to finish understanding:

• My back hurts a lot!
• I'm tired of so much nonsense!
• I love being with you in class.
• I am frustrated waiting for your call. It's been a week now!
• I'm so glad you got that job!
• Of all the islands, Menorca is my favorite.
• How you've grown!
• I'm very angry with you. Not only have you disrespected me, but you have also not apologized to me.
• I am so sorry. I have made a mistake. It will not happen again.
• You are the most handsome model of all!
• What a joy to see you again!
• Finally it's Friday!
• I'm done!
• I am afraid of what may happen.
• It smells bad!
• Love you.
• It hurts me!
• I admire Albert Einstein so much ...
• I hate you so much that I can't put it into words.
• What have I done to deserve this?
• Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!