Functions of Language: Referential, Emotive, Conative & More
Functions of Language: Referential
The referential function, or representative function, is the core function of communication. It primarily aims to convey information about objects or events, reflecting reality. For example: “The sky is cloudy,” or “Today is Tuesday.”
Expressive or Emotive Function
The expressive, or emotive function, focuses on the sender of the message. It reveals their emotions, moods, and subjective attitude towards the information being conveyed. For example: “Hopefully, you’ll come soon!” or “Oh, what a great wonder!” (expressing surprise).
Appellative or Conative Function
In messages dominated by the appellative, or conative function, attention shifts to the receiver. The speaker aims to elicit a verbal or non-verbal response. For example: “When will you come back?” (seeking a verbal response), or “Fernando, come here!” (intending to gain attention and prompt action).
Phatic or Contact Function
The phatic, or contact function, characterizes messages where the focus is on the communicative channel. Examples: “Testing 1, 2, 3…”, “1, 2, 3, testing.”
Metalinguistic Function
The metalinguistic function involves language discussing language itself. The message’s information centers on the linguistic code. For example: “An imperfect form of the verb ‘say’ is ‘said’,” or “Harvesting means collecting grapes.”
The signifier is the material perceived by the senses, while the signified is the concept or idea evoked by the perception of the signifier.
Characteristics of the linguistic sign:
- Arbitrary: The same object is designated by different signs in different languages.
- Linear: Linguistic signs are communicated in succession, not simultaneously.
- Mutable and Immutable: Over time, linguistic signs change diachronically, being arbitrary.
- Oral: Signs are primarily performed through speech.
- Discrete: Each sign is precisely defined.
- Double-Jointed: Some signs have meaning, while others do not.
According to their origin, signs can be:
- Natural (trace):
- Artificial (icons and symbols):
A sign has a natural relationship of cause and effect (e.g., fever indicates disease, gray hair indicates old age).
An icon shows a relationship of resemblance to its referent (e.g., a portrait of a person, a map of a city).
A symbol is used to represent other realities without a similar or motivated relationship (e.g., a flag, words in spoken language).
Literary Genres
Lyric
The lyric genre presents an intimate and personal perspective of the speaker, revealing their feelings, mood, and experiences. Examples include: Elegies, Odes, and Eclogues.
Epic
The epic genre offers an external perspective of the author to their subject matter. It presents a world where the author-narrator is positioned as a spectator. It includes events outside of the author, usually located in the past and recreated verbally for the receiver. Examples include: Novels and Stories.
Dramatic
The dramatic genre offers a different perspective. The transmitter completely disappears (which is at the forefront in lyrics and transposed in the figure of the narrator in the epic), creating the illusion for the reader of attending events occurring in their presence at the moment of reading or representation. Examples include: Tragedy, Comedy, and historical genres like Neoclassical Greek Tragedy.