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Functions of Language

Language serves several micro functions: Physiological function allows users to release physical and nervous energy through cheering during sports or using curse words. Phatic function fosters sociability through pleasantries like comments on the weather. Recording function makes a durable record of information through writing, which developed into alphabets starting 4000 BC. Identifying function gives objects and events names so users know what is being referred to.

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202 views

Functions of Language

Language serves several micro functions: Physiological function allows users to release physical and nervous energy through cheering during sports or using curse words. Phatic function fosters sociability through pleasantries like comments on the weather. Recording function makes a durable record of information through writing, which developed into alphabets starting 4000 BC. Identifying function gives objects and events names so users know what is being referred to.

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رافعہ چیمہ
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MICRO FUNCTIONS:

Physiological function (releasing physical and nervous energy)


Although it might be striking this use of language is fairly common. It is easily recognizable when
devoted fans of sports are observed while watching their favourite discipline on TV. Such fans
often shout instructions, express support, or disappointment and while as a means of
communicating with sportsmen they are useless, such cheers are to release repressed energy.
Similarly curse words are used to serve this purpose, as they rarely convey any meaning and are
only to make the speaker feel better.

Phatic function (for sociability)


The use of such phrases as ‘nice day today’, or ‘how do you do’ is characterized by lack of any
informative content and is intended to link people and make the coexistence peaceful and
pleasant. The phatic use of language is characteristic mainly of speech, however, in certain types
of writing it can also be noticed, as in letters for example, where the beginning Dear Sir/Madam
and ending Yours faithfully also serve that purpose.

Recording function
Recording function denotes using language to make a durable record of things that ought to be
remembered. Owing to its omnipresence writing is probably the most significant function of
language. There is evidence that the first writing system was developed in the Middle East as
early as 4000 BC. At the beginning writing systems took forms of pictures representing the things
they referred to, gradually developing into the alphabets in their present forms.

Identifying function
Language is used also to identify the objects and events in the world we live in. Without this
function language would be almost useless, as it is thanks to the names of things that we know
what is talked about. Many primitive societies unable to write believe that names hold great
power. Even in western culture names are thought to be immensely important: the God’s name
ought not to be used in vain, before giving a name to a newborn child parents consider the choice
deeply. We use names to classify different types of things, whether we call a car an automobile,
a lorry, a van or a truck makes a big difference.

Reasoning function (instrument of thought)


Before we say something we think and to do that we necessarily use language. In most cases it is
extremely difficult to think about anything without any use of words. In fact is it also difficult not
to think for a longer period of time as human brains work all the time processing information,
thus providing us with concepts formulated by means of language.
Communicating function
This function would probably be pointed at by most language users without major consideration.
Indeed it is in all likelihood most commonly used language function by majority of speakers.
Requesting, apologizing, informing, ordering as well as promising and refusing are all reasons for
communicating our ideas.

Pleasure functions
The fact that language often gives pleasure both to the speakers and listeners is not only
supported by the frequent use of assonance, alliteration and onomatopoeia in poetry. Depending
on the sounds of languages some are perceived as being mild as English for example, others crude
as German. People also derive pleasure from unusual use of syntactic rules, as well as novelties
of meanings juxtapositions and language games, which is often used by skilful writers.

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