语言的功能

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1. Informative function

Language serves an “in formative function” when used to tell something, characterized by the use of declarative sentences. Informative statements are labeled as true or false.

E.g. “Shanghai is smaller than Jinan now”

“Harbin is on the Songhua River”

In formative function is also called ideational function in the framework of functional grammar. Halliday notes that “ language serves for the expression of ‘content’: that is, of the speaker’s experience of the real world, including the inner world of his consciousness.”

2.Interpersonal Function

By far the most important sociological use of language is the interpersonal function, by which people establish and maintain their status in a society. In the framework of functional grammar, this function is concerned with interaction between the addresser and addressee in the discourse situation and the addressee’s attitude toward what he speaks or writes about.

For example, the ways in which people address others and refer to themselves(e.g.Dear sir, Dear professor, Johnny yours, your obedient servant) indicate the various grades of interpersonal relations.

3.Performative Function

This means people speak to “do things” or perform actions. On certain occasions the utterance itself as an action is more important than what words or sounds constitute the uttered sentence. The judge’s imprisonment sentence, the president’s war or independence declaration, etc., are prerogatives.

4.Emotive Function

The emotive function of language is one of the most powerful uses of language because it is crucial in changing the emotional status of an audience for or against someone or something.

5.Phatic Function

The phatic function refers to language being used for setting up a certain atmosphere or maintaining social contacts for exchanging information or ideas. Greetings, farewells and comments on the weather in English and clothing in Chinese all serve this function. Much of the phatic language (e.g. “ How are you?” “Fine, thanks”) is insincere if taken literally, but it is important. If you don’t say “hello” to a friend you meet, or if you don’t answer his “hi”, you ruin your friendship.

6.Recreational Function

The recreational function of language is often overlooked because it seems so restrictive in purpose and supposedly so limited in usefulness. However, no one will deny the use of language for the sheer joy of using it.

7.Metalinguistic Function

Metalinguistic function means certain kinds of linguistic signs or terms for the analysis and description of particular studies.