Language Functions

Relevance of the Theme

Language functions are at the core of our daily communication, in the exchange of ideas and in the production of meaning. They allow us to adapt to the context and the needs of expression, making our language more effective. In the study of the Portuguese discipline, language functions are an essential foundation for the analysis of texts and the understanding of communication mechanisms.

Contextualization

In the vast sea of human communication, language functions are the compasses that guide us, helping us to tune our messages to the audience and the situation. They enable us to express our emotions, convey information, convince, instruct, among many other needs. In this context, language functions are studied in the 1st year of High School, within the topic of language study and its various spheres of action.

Theoretical Development

• Introduction to Language Functions

  • What are Language Functions?
    • They represent different ways of using language for communication.
    • They were initially established by the linguist Roman Jakobson.
  • Why Study Language Functions?
    • Fundamental for the understanding of texts and communication.
    • Allow for a more in-depth analysis of discourses and their purposes.

• Referential Function (or Denotative)

  • Characteristics of the Referential Function:
    • Focus on the transmission of objective and concrete information.
    • Uses language in a direct and objective way.
  • Examples of Referential Function:
    • Technical manuals, news, scientific texts.

• Emotive Function (or Expressive)

  • Characteristics of the Emotive Function:
    • Focus on the sender's inner world, expressing opinions and feelings.
    • Uses subjective and personal language.
  • Examples of Emotive Function:
    • Poems, diaries, autobiographies.

• Conative Function (or Appellative)

  • Characteristics of the Conative Function:
    • Focus on the receiver, seeking to influence, convince, or guide.
    • Uses persuasive and targeted language.
  • Examples of Conative Function:
    • TV commercials, political speeches, advertisements.

• Phatic Function

  • Characteristics of the Phatic Function:
    • Focus on the communication channel, checking if the line is open.
    • Uses expressions to maintain contact and confirm attention.
  • Examples of Phatic Function:
    • "Hello?", "Hi, how are you?", "Can you hear me?".

• Metalinguistic Function

  • Characteristics of the Metalinguistic Function:
    • Focus on language itself, exemplifying, defining, or commenting.
    • Uses language to talk about language itself.
  • Examples of Metalinguistic Function:
    • Dictionaries, grammars, poems that talk about poetry.

• Poetic Function

  • Characteristics of the Poetic Function:
    • Focus on aesthetics, the search for beauty and originality.
    • Uses literary resources, such as rhyme, alliteration, metaphor.
  • Examples of Poetic Function:
    • Poems, stories, song lyrics.

Detailed Summary

• Key Points:

  • Definition and Role of Language Functions:
    • Language functions are varied ways of using language, each with a specific purpose.
    • The study of language functions allows for a better understanding and interpretation of texts.
  • Referential Function:
    • Also called denotative, focuses on the transmission of objective information.
    • It is the predominant function in scientific texts, technical manuals, news, among others.
  • Emotive Function:
    • Also known as expressive, focuses on the expression of feelings, opinions, and emotions.
    • Poems, diaries, and autobiographies are examples of texts with emotive function.
  • Conative Function:
    • Also appellative, seeks to convince, persuade, or guide the receiver.
    • Common in advertisements, political speeches, TV commercials.
  • Phatic Function:
    • Focuses on keeping the communication channel open, confirming the receiver's attention.
    • Examples are expressions like "Hello?", "Hi, how are you?", "Can you hear me?".
  • Metalinguistic Function:
    • Talks about language itself, exemplifying, defining, or commenting.
    • Can be seen in dictionaries, grammars, and poems that talk about poetry.
  • Poetic Function:
    • Seeks aesthetics, originality, and beauty in the use of language.
    • Poems, stories, and song lyrics are texts with poetic function.

• Conclusions:

  • Each language function has a specific objective, and its appropriate use depends on the context and purpose of the discourse.
  • The ability to identify and analyze language functions is essential for the understanding and production of texts.
  • Language functions are present in our daily lives, in various types of texts and communication situations.

• Proposed Exercises:

  1. Identify the predominant language function in the following texts:
  • A scientific article on the relationship between pollution and climate change.
  • A love poem.
  • A political speech in the election campaign.
  • An instruction manual for assembling furniture.
  2. Create a fictional advertisement for any product, exploring the conative function of language.
  3. Write a short poem using the poetic function of language.