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The Social Functions of Language

This document discusses the social functions of language according to two linguists, Michael Halliday and Geoffrey Leech. Halliday identified seven social functions of language: instrumental, regulatory, interactional, personal, heuristic, imaginative, and representational. Leech identified five social functions: informative, expressive, directive, aesthetic, and phatic. The document explains each of the social functions identified by Halliday and Leech and provides examples. It also discusses how social norms, dialects, and gender differences can affect language use. Finally, it assigns students a project to apply the social functions of language to everyday conversations and compare Halliday and Leech's perspectives.

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Mary Joy Dahuya Antiola
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6K views23 pages

The Social Functions of Language

This document discusses the social functions of language according to two linguists, Michael Halliday and Geoffrey Leech. Halliday identified seven social functions of language: instrumental, regulatory, interactional, personal, heuristic, imaginative, and representational. Leech identified five social functions: informative, expressive, directive, aesthetic, and phatic. The document explains each of the social functions identified by Halliday and Leech and provides examples. It also discusses how social norms, dialects, and gender differences can affect language use. Finally, it assigns students a project to apply the social functions of language to everyday conversations and compare Halliday and Leech's perspectives.

Uploaded by

Mary Joy Dahuya Antiola
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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THE SOCIAL FUNCTIONS

OF LANGUAGE
What is LANGUAGE ?
What is LANGUAGE ?

• A system that helps


people express thoughts,
Feelings and meaning
through symbols and
sound
SOCIOLINGUISTICS
Is the area of Linguistics that
deals with SOCIAL
FUNCTIONS of language and
governed by different factors.
SPECIAL FACTORS THAT AFFECTS
THE USE OF LANGUAGE
o SOCIAL NORMS-the unwritten rules of
behavior that are considered acceptable in
a group or society

o DIALECT- variety of language which has


different pronunciation, grammar or
vocabulary

o GENDER DIFFERENCES- the choice of


language we use in talking to someone
The Social Function of Language
• The way we relate languages to our
relationship with other people
• How we use language and how we
communicate in social setting.
7 SOCIAL FUNCTIONS
OF LANGUAGE
ACCORDING TO
MICHAEL HALLIDAY
INSTRUMENTAL
-Uses language to express a
need
REGULATORY
-Uses language to
direct other people
INTERACTIONAL
-Language is used to make
contact with others and
form relationships
PERSONAL
-Uses language to
express feelings
HEURISTIC
-Uses language to gain
knowledge about the
environment
IMAGINATIVE
-Uses language to tell
stories, jokes or create
an imaginary world
REPRESENTATIONAL
-Uses language to
convey facts or
information
5 SOCIAL FUNCTIONS
OF LANGUAGE
ACCORDING TO
GEOFFERY LEECH
INFORMATIVE FUNCTION

-used to give new


information;
EXPRESSIVE FUNCTION
-To express its originator’s
feelings and attitudes.
-This function could give a
clear image for the personality
of the speaker or writer.
DIRECTIVE FUNCTION
- is the directive function
whereby we aim to influence
the behavior or attitudes of
others.
AESTHETIC FUNCTION
-The use of language for the sake
of the linguistic artifact itself, and
for no purpose. This aesthetic
function can have at least as much
to do with conceptual as with
affective meaning
PHATIC FUNCTION
-The function of keeping
communication lines open, and
keeping social relationships in
good repair.
ASSIGNMENT: due next meeting
• How relevant are the SOCIAL FUNCTIONS of
language in our real life situations?
• Does it have any effect to you as future teacher’s
of the second language?
Project in Prelims: Exam day
deadline
• Make a PRACTICAL APPLICATION of
expressions in your understanding on the 7 Social
Functions of Language.
▫ Each must have a practical expression suited in today’s
conversational English.
▫ A short explanation is a need to justify the expression
given.
• Compare and contrast using the premise on
conversational English the 5 Social Functions of
Language by Leech.
▫ Be able to give a comparison and contrast in line with
conversational English.
FOLLOW THE SOP’s
END

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