Language functions - SUMMARY + EXAMPLES !!

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The language has different functions They serve to show the purposes or intentions of the issuer with respect to its receiver. The functions of language are tremendously important to know the message and that it arrives with the intention that has the issuer of the same, for this reason in this lesson of a PROFESSOR we are going to show you what the language functions with examples.

Index

1. What are language functions
2. What are the functions of language?
3. Referential or informative function
4. Expressive function of language
5. Appellate function of language
6. Metalinguistic function
7. Phatic function
8. Poetic function

The Language functions serve to show what are the intentions of the sender of the message regarding how he addresses the receiver. That is, it is the relationship that is formed between sender and receiver in the way the message is delivered. It could also be defined as the form of expression of a person to get the message to the receiver.

What is involved in communication?

We are citing three at all times elements involved in communication, therefore it is necessary to define them in order to know what function each one of them has in the language. Thus we find:

• Transmitter: person to express the message.
• Receiver: person who receives the message and decodes it to understand it.
• Channel: it is the means by which the message is delivered. This can be oral or written.
• Message: content that you want to share through language.
• Code: it must be common for the sender and receiver so that both can transmit and receive the message.

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Knowing the agents that intervene in communication, we can now define what the functions of language are. Thus, we find that the functions that determine the intentionality and purposes of communication are these:

• Referential or informative function
• Expressive or emotional function
• Appellate function
• Metalinguistic function
• Phatic function
• Poetic function

We analyze them independently below.

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It refers to the use of language when you want point out some aspect that is in reality, but outside the inner universe of the person who formulates the message. Thus, this function is the most objective of the language since it shows something concrete emphasizing the message.

In order to see it more clearly, we are going to put some examples:

• It is 12 pm.
• It's cold.
• The car hit that wall and the driver was taken to hospital.

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Have a subjective character by the issuer when transmitting the message. He usually uses verb forms expressed in the first person in addition to showing the sender's moods. It formulates the information showing if he is sad, happy, angry, etc.

Some examples of this expressive function of language are:

• How handsome you are!
• I dont like that you do this!
• I'm very happy!

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The appellative function of language is what focuses on the receiver, that is, it looks for a reaction in it for the message transmitted by the sender. It is used to give orders and make the receiver do what the sender wants. They are used to ask for favors, threaten or order something. We are going to illustrate it with some examples so that you can easily identify it:

• Can you pass me the salt?
• Shut up now!
• Turn off the air conditioning, please.

It is the function of the language that is used to talk about the language. That is, it focuses on the code to be able to establish definitions and make clarifications about terms. This function is what you use when you want to explain concepts that have to do with language.

• This is a specific item.
• Novels are prose texts.
• The period is used to close a sentence.

The phatic function puts on relationship of the sender with the receiver. It allows the sender to check if the communication channel actually exists and if it is active in order to transmit the message. This function is usually represented by single words that do not contribute Any information to the message you want to convey. You can understand it very easily with these simple examples:

• Do you hear me?
• Yes, perfect.
• Say?

The poetic functionfocuses on message aesthetics that wants to be transmitted, that is, in its form so that it reaches the receiver in a beautiful way. To make the message more attractive, the author can accompany it with literary devices that make the receiver pay attention not for what they express, but for how they do it. Here are some examples:

• God helps he who rises early.
• On clear nights, / I solve the problem of the loneliness of being. / I invite the moon and with my shadow there are three of us. (Gloria Fuertes)
• Pablito nailed a little nail, what little nail did Pablito nail?

These are the six functions of language and their examples so that you can learn to distinguish and identify them. Using them correctly is essential to be able to transmit a message and that it arrives with the intention that the sender wishes.

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