In order to clearly understand the functions of language, it is good to first know the stages of communication.
Contrary to what many people think, communication does not only happen when we speak, establish a dialogue or write a text, it is present at all (or almost all) moments.
We communicate with our co-workers, with the book we read, with the magazine, with the documents we handle, through our gestures, actions, even through a “good night” kiss.
This is what Bordenave says when referring to communication:
Communication is confused with life itself. we have so much
awareness that we communicate as we breathe or
we walk. We only realize its essential importance.
when, by accident or an illness, we lose the capacity
to communicate. (Bordenave, 1986. p.17-9)
In the act of communication, we notice the existence of some elements, they are:
The) issuer: is the one who sends the message (it can be a single person or a group of people).
B) message: is the content (subject) of the information now being transmitted.
ç) receiver: is the person to whom the message is addressed (an individual or a group), also known as the recipient.
d) communication channel: it is the means by which the message is conveyed.
and) code: it is the set of signs and rules of combination of these signs used to elaborate the message: the sender encodes what the receiver will decode.
f) context: it is the object or situation to which the message refers.
Based on these six elements, Roman Jakobson, a Russian linguist, prepared studies on the language functions, which are very useful for analyzing and producing texts. The six functions are:
1. Referential function: referent is the object or situation that the message is about. The referential function privileges precisely the referent of the message, seeking to transmit objective information about it. This function predominates in scientific texts and is privileged in journalistic texts.
2. Emotional function: through this function, the sender prints in the text the marks of his personal attitude: emotions, evaluations, opinions. The reader feels the presence of the sender in the text.
3. Conative function: this function seeks to organize the text in such a way that it imposes itself on the recipient of the message, persuading him, seducing him. In messages where this function predominates, the aim is to involve the reader with the transmitted content, leading him to adopt this or that behavior.
4.phatic function: the word factual means “noise, noise”. It was initially used to designate certain forms used to attract attention (noises such as psiu, ahn, ei). This function occurs when the message is oriented towards the communication channel or contact, seeking to verify and strengthen its efficiency.
5. Metalinguistic function: when language turns in on itself, transforming itself into its own referent, the metalinguistic function takes place.
6. Poetic function: when the message is elaborated in an innovative and unexpected way, using sound or rhythmic combinations, image games or ideas, we have the manifestation of the poetic function of language. This function is capable of awakening in the reader aesthetic pleasure and surprise. It is explored in poetry and advertising texts.
These functions are not explored in isolation; in general, several of them overlap. There is, however, the one that stands out, so we can identify the main purpose of the text.
By Marina Cabral
Specialist in Portuguese Language and Literature
Brazil School Team
See more!
language functions - Why does the language have different functions?
Essay - Brazil School
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/redacao/as-funcoes-linguagem.htm
