Language Functions - Summary

Keywords

Understanding the elements of communication and their relationship with language functions.
Identification and examples of the six language functions.
Text analysis to identify the predominance of language functions.

Referential Function: communication focused on context, aiming to inform.
Emotive Function: expression of the sender's feelings and emotions.
Conative Function: seeks to influence or provoke a response from the receiver.
Phatic Function: checks the functioning of the communication channel.
Metalinguistic Function: use of language to talk about language itself.
Poetic Function: focus on the message itself, its form and structure to create an aesthetic effect.

Communication: Process of transmitting information from one individual to another.
Sender: Individual or entity that sends the message.
Receiver: Individual or entity that receives the message.
Code: System of signs or symbols used to transmit the message.
Context: Set of circumstances in which the communicative act occurs.
Channel: Physical or virtual means through which the message is sent.

Effective communication depends on the clarity and adequacy of the elements involved.
The predominant language function is determined by the sender's intention and the context.

Referential Function: Conveying objective information about the world or context. Example: news, textbooks, scientific reports.
Emotive Function: Emphasizing the sender's personal emotions and attitudes. Example: lyrical poems, autobiographies, diaries.
Conative Function: Persuading or commanding the receiver, often characterized by the use of the imperative. Example: advertisements, political speeches, instructions for use.
Phatic Function: Testing or maintaining communication, confirming if the channel is open and functioning. Example: "Hello?", "Can you hear me?".
Metalinguistic Function: Focusing on the language used to create the message, discussing or explaining it. Example: grammar lessons, poetry that explores the use of words.
Poetic Function: Emphasizing the aesthetic form and structure of the message, playing with words, sounds, and structures to produce an artistic effect. Example: avant-garde poetry, wordplay in advertisements.

Referential: The journalist writes "Inflation increased by 0.5% this month", using the referential function to inform about the economy.
Emotive: In a song, a singer expresses "My heart is broken", highlighting their own feelings, characterizing the emotive function.
Conative: A poster with the command "Recycle!", aiming to influence the receiver's behavior.
Phatic: During a phone call, someone asks "Are you still on the line?" to check the communication.
Metalinguistic: A teacher explains "The term 'metaphor' means...", using the metalinguistic function to discuss language.
Poetic: A poem that plays with alliterations and onomatopoeias, focusing on the sound form of words, illustrates the poetic function.

Communication occurs through the interaction between sender, receiver, code, channel, and context.
The language function used varies according to the sender's intention and the communicative context's needs.
Referential Function: focus on the objective transmission of information about reality or context.
Emotive Function: personal expression of the sender's emotions, feelings, and opinions.
Conative Function: directed at the receiver with the purpose of influencing, persuading, or giving orders.
Phatic Function: aims to check the communication channel, ensuring that the connection between sender and receiver is active.
Metalinguistic Function: language discusses language itself, clarifying and explaining its use.
Poetic Function: prioritizes the aesthetic form of the message, playing with words, sounds, and structures to produce an artistic effect.

Language functions are fundamental for understanding the different ways language is used in communication.
Recognizing language functions helps interpret texts and speeches, perceiving the intentions behind the messages.
The referential function is common in informative and academic contexts, while the emotive function prevails in personal expressive contexts.
Functions like the conative are essential for persuasive communication, as in advertising and commands.
The phatic function is used in direct interaction situations, ensuring that the receiver is attentive.
Metalinguistics allows reflection on language, being a tool for teaching and linguistic analysis.
The poetic function highlights the beauty and expressive power of language, being a primordial feature in literary and artistic works.