TOPIC 2

Nature and Function of Language

ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI

Definitions Of Langauge

ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI

MACMILLAN ENGLISH DICTIONARY

(second edition)

1. the method of human communication using spoken or written words 1a. the style or types of words used by a person or group 2. the particular form of words and speech that is used by the people of a country, area or social group 3. signs, symbols, sounds, and other methods of communicating information, feelings or ideas Metaphor Language and words are like food, and the emotions that words express are like flavours.

Language and speech are like animal noises, especially when people are expressing particular attitudes or emotions.
ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI

 A human system of communication that uses arbitrary signals, such as voice sounds, gestures, or written symbols. The study of language is called linguistics.
-Richard Nordquist, About.com Guide

All words, in every language, are metaphors.

-Marshall McLuhan

A language is a dialect with an army and navy.

-Yiddish linguist, Max Weinreich

We can define language as a system of communication using sounds or symbols that enables us to express our feelings, thoughts, ideas, and experiences.
-E. Bruce Goldstein, Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research, and Everyday Experience, 2nd ed. Thomson, 2008

ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI

Purposes of language

ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI

Expressive purposes
Language can be used simply to express ones feelings, ideas or attitudes, without necessarily taking a reader or listener into consideration. He/she is merely giving vent to emotions or needs. Diaries and journals are obvious examples of language used for expressive purposes.

ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI

ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI

Informative purposes
The informative function affirms or denies propositions, as in science or the statement of a fact. This function is used to describe the world or reason about it. These sentences have a truth value; that is, the sentences are either true or false. Important for logic. Eg.: 1) a news bulletin board at your school 2) textbooks 3) a cinema guide
ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI

ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI

Cognitive purposes
When language is used cognitively, it is with the intention of affecting the audience in some way in order to evoke some type of response. Therefore, when one uses language to persuade, entertain, stir to anger or arouse sympathy, one is using language for cognitive purposes. Eg.: 1) Jokes 2) Political speeches 3)Horror stories
ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI

ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI

Poetic purposes
Language used in literary, stylistic or imaginative ways is poetic. The user focuses on the structure and pattern of the language and places emphasis on the manner in which the language is manipulated. Language used for poetic purposes is not necessarily done in verse. It is the way in which the language is used, and not its form, that indicates its poetic purpose.

ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI

Phatic purposes
Sometimes language is used simply to establish or maintain contact among people, maintain social customs. It is obviously in spoken communication. It does not necessarily seek to generate a meaningful response. Although the phatic purpose of language does not often apply to written communication, in the case of letter writing, the greeting and closure are phatic.

ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI

ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI

Metalinguistic purposes
This is the use of language to comment on, refer to or discuss language itself. A critique of your friends essay or speech is metalinguistic, so it the blurb on the back of a novel. When you use language to consider language your purpose is metalinguistic.

ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI

Functions of language

Beare, K. (March 14, 2007). Language Functions. Kenneth's ESL Blog About.com Guide.
ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI

Contrasting Ideas
Formula main statement, but contrasting statement Example I'd really like to come to the film, but I have to study tonight. Explanation Use a comma or semi colon (;) with 'but'. 'But' is the most common way to show contrasting ideas.

main statement, in spite of contrasting statement OR in spite of contrasting statement, main statement

They continued on their Use 'in spite of' plus a noun, journey, in spite of the pouring noun phrase or gerund rain.

main statement, despite contrasting They continued on their statement OR journey, despite the pouring Despite contrasting statement, rain. main statement main statement, although contrasting statement OR Although contrasting statement, main statement

Use 'despite' plus a noun, noun phrase or gerund

We wanted to buy a sports car, Use 'although' with a subject although we knew that fast cars and a verb. can be dangerous.
ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI

Making complaints
Formula Example Finish

I'm sorry to have to say this I think we need to take but another approach.
I'm sorry to bother you, but I think you need to refine this layout. Maybe you forgot to I think you might have forgotten to include his name and number. finish the report on time.

Excuse me if I'm out of line, your work has not been but adequate lately. There may have been a misunderstanding about Don't get me wrong, but I think we should what I expected from you. concentrate on the Smith account for the moment.

ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI

Asking for Information

There are a number of formulas used when asking for information in English. Here are some of the most common: Could you tell me...? Do you know...? Do you happen to know...? I'd like to know... Could you find out...? I'm interested in...

ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI

Giving advices
Giving advice refers to when we tell other people what we think could help them. The most common way to give advice is by using the modal verb 'should'. There are also other forms including, 'ought to' and 'had better' which are more formal. Here are some of the most common:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. You should see a doctor. I don't think you should work so hard. You ought to work less. You ought not to work so hard. If I were you, I'd work less. If I were in your position, I'd work less.
ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI

Guessing
There are a number of ways to guess in English. Here are some of the most common: I'd say he's about ready to quite his job. It might need some oil. He could be in the garden. It looks like a miniature motor. Perhaps he needs some time off work. Maybe they want to come and visit this summer. It's difficult to say, but I'd guess that it's used for cleaning house. I'm not really sure, but I think they enjoy hiking in the mountains.
ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI

Saying NO nicely
Sometimes you need to say no when someone makes a suggestion, offers something or asks you to do something for them. Some of the most common are: 1. Would you like to see a film tonight? I'm afraid I can't go out tonight. I've got a test tomorrow. 2. Why don't we have some Chinese food? Sorry, but I don't particularly like Chinese food. 3. Would you like to come to the museum with us? Thank you, but it's not my idea of a fun afternoon out. 4. Let's go for a drive Sorry, I'm not really fond of driving for the fun of it. 5. Why don't you stay the night? That's very kind of you, but I really have to get back to the city.
ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI

Stating a preferences
Sometimes you need to state a preference when someone makes a suggestion, offers something or asks your opinion about what to do. Often people are asking for your opinion and you can state your preference freely, other times, people have made an offer and you need to state a preference politely if you do not want to do what has been suggested, or would rather do something else. E.g.:
1. Would you like to see a film tonight? I'd rather go dancing. How does that sound? Why don't we have some chinese food? Well, I'd prefer eating Italian. What do you think? What do you think we should do? If it were up to me, I'd go out for dinner. What are we going to do today? The weather is awful! I think we should go to a museum.Why don't we go to a museum. Let's go to a museum. How about going to a museum.
ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI

2.
3. 4. 5. 6.

THATS ALL, MERCI!

ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI