Understanding Language Functions, Statements, and Speech
Language Functions
Language functions serve different purposes for which the issuer may use language in a communicative situation.
Representative or Referential Function
This function characterizes messages in which the sender transmits information. The verbs are in the 3rd person, targeting lexico (e.g., paracetamol is on the shelf).
Expressive and Emotional Function
This function characterizes messages expressing the issuer’s opinions and feelings. The verbs are in the 1st person, often using questions or exclamations, and subjective lexico.
Appellate or Conative Function
This function describes messages intended to influence the behavior or ideas of the receiver, such as orders or instructions. The verbs are in the imperative and in 2nd person, with references to the receiver (e.g., waiter, bring a juice) and exclamations or questions.
Statements
Statements are sets of words that express an idea or feeling. There are two kinds of sentences: sentences and phrases.
The Set Method
The set method refers to the way in which the speaker presents the statement.
Intonation
The intonation depends on the melody used to express the statement.
Verb Forms
The verb forms (verbal mode) tell us how the speaker conceives the action (indicative, subjunctive, and imperative), including certain adverbs of affirmation, negation, or doubt.
Kinds of Sentences According to Output
Kinds of sentences according to the output:
Sentential
-Sentential: Present an event or thought as if it were real. They may be affirmative or negative.
Interrogative
-Interrogative: Express a question (e.g., “We interviewed: they”).
Exclamatory and Interrogative
-Exclamatory and Interrogative: Exclamatory sentences often express feelings, while interrogative sentences pose a question.
Hesitant
-Hesitant: Express doubt.
Optional
-Optional: Express a wish.
Hortatory
-Hortatory: Express advice, request, command, or prohibitions.
Possibility
-Possibility: Expressed supposition or probability.
Forms of Speech
Forms of speech are different modes of expression that a message can take in a text. The descriptions can be objective (scientific) or subjective (advertising).
Sentence Structure
Subject
The subject is the group of words that names a person, animal, or thing about whom something is said in the sentence. Its nucleus is usually a noun or pronoun, and it functions as a noun phrase.
Predicate
The predicate is the set of words that express what is said of the subject. This group of words is a verbal segment whose core is a verb.
Parts of Speech
Nouns
-Nouns are variable words that name persons, animals, things, etc. They function as a noun phrase.
Articles
-The articles are invariable words that precede nouns to indicate gender and number (e.g., the, a, an). They work as a determinant.
Adjectives
-The adjectives are variable words that refer to a noun, highlighting its property or limiting its extension. They generally work to supplement or determine.
Verbs
-The verbs are variable words that express actions, states, or processes located at a given time. They function as the core of the verb phrase.
Adverbs
-Adverbs are invariable words that name circumstances of place, manner, time, or quantity, or express affirmation, denial, or doubt. They generally function as a complement to a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.
Pronouns
-The pronouns are words of personal significance (possessive, demonstrative, numeral, indefinite, interrogative, or exclamatory) referring to the same entities as nouns. They function as a noun phrase.
Binding Elements
-The binding elements are variable words that join other words or combinations of words. These include prepositions (to, with, of, etc.) and conjunctions (and, or, but, because, etc.).