Scribd
Upload
78 views2 pages

Language and Its Functions Language

Language is man's greatest invention that allows for verbal communication of thoughts and ideas through symbols. There are four elements involved in every language: the symbol, referent, reference, and subject. The sciences of language are pragmatics, semantics, and syntactics. Language has several functions, including being informative to convey information, practical to produce effects, expressive to express feelings, performative to perform actions, ceremonial to enhance social relationships, and logical to reason and clarify. Complex language combines two or more of these functions.

Uploaded by

Ash
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
78 views2 pages

Language and Its Functions Language

Language is man's greatest invention that allows for verbal communication of thoughts and ideas through symbols. There are four elements involved in every language: the symbol, referent, reference, and subject. The sciences of language are pragmatics, semantics, and syntactics. Language has several functions, including being informative to convey information, practical to produce effects, expressive to express feelings, performative to perform actions, ceremonial to enhance social relationships, and logical to reason and clarify. Complex language combines two or more of these functions.

Uploaded by

Ash
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Language and its Functions

Language

It is mans greatest invention.


It is the verbal form of our thoughts, and as such it is our vehicle

or tool for communication.


A set of symbols by which things ideas and thoughts or feelings
are communicated.

General Features of Language


Spoken Language makes us of sound patterns.
Written Language Makes us of visual patterns.

Characteristics of Language
In every language there are always four elements involved
1. Symbol a word, name, phrase used to signify something
2. Referent that which is symbolized
3. Reference the meaning or signification existing between the
symbol and referent.
4. Subject the individual who uses the symbol
Three Sciences of Language
1. Pragmatics linguistic science which deals with the origin derivation
and root word of symbols or terms.
2. Semantics formal relation between symbols and their meaning.
3. Syntactics deals with formal relation between symbols as specified in
the rules of grammar.
Functions of Language
1. Informative function language is used to convey some information.
2. Practical language is used to produce some effects. Imperative
statements.

Language and its Functions


3. Expressive language is used not only to express certain feelings of
the speaker but also to evoke emotional response from the listener.
4. Performative language is used not only to say or report but also to
perform what is being said. (Saying I love you and then seal it with a
kiss)
5. Ceremonial language is used to enhance social intercourse,
relationship, or social amenities. How are you? Good Morning!
6. Logical language is used to reason, analyse and clarify a problem or
argument.
7. Complex it is the combination or mixture of two or more functions of
language.

You might also like