英语语言学function of language.ppt

,Functions of language,Team member:皮锦筠 李 玮 李思垚 李秀秀 裴治东,Jakobson,our group,Halliday,different views on function of language,Jakobsons view,anguage is above all,as any semiotic system,for communication.We study language as a science so we mention its function according to a principle.Here the function is not the social function only.Six primary factors of any speech event:speaker,addressee,context,message,code,contact.Jakobsons well-known framework of language functions based on the six key elements of communication:,Referential:to convey message and informationPoetic:to indulge in language for its own sakeEmotive:to express attitudes,feelings and emotionsConative:to persuade and influence others through commands and entreaties)Phatic:to establish communion with othersMetalingual function:to clear up intentions,words and meanings.eg.We say make is a verb and he is a pronoun.,Functions of language,Contextreferential,AddresserEmotivee.g.intonation showing anger,MessagePoetice.g.poetry,AddresseeConativee.g.Imperatives and vocatives,ContactPhaticHello,did you hear me?,CodeMetalinguale.g.Let me make it brief.,指示功能（传达信息）诗学功能（完全就语言而语言)，感情功能（表达态度、感觉和感情），意动功能（通过命令和请求去说服和影响他人），交感功能（与他人建立交流）元语言功能（弄清意图、词语和意义）。,Hallidays view,From early on in his account of language,Halliday has argued that it is inherently functional.His early papers on the grammar of English make reference to the functional components of language,as generalized uses of language,which,since they seem to determine the nature of the language system,require to be incorporated into our account of that system.Halliday argues that this functional organization of language determines the form taken by grammatical structure.,Ideational metafunction The ideational function is language concerned with building and maintaining a theory of experience.It includes the experiential function and the logical function.1.语言是对存在于主客观世界的过程和事物的反映，这是“经验”（experiential）功能，或者说关于所说的“内容”的功能。在语言中还有“逻辑（logical）功能，即以表现为并列关系和从属关系的线性的循环结构的形式出现，由于两者都是建立于说话人对外部世界和内心世界的经验，与其功能相比较是中性的，因而可统称为“概念”（ideational）功能。,Hallidays view,Interpersonal metafunction The interpersonal function refers to the grammatical choices that enable speakers to enact their complex and diverse interpersonal relations.2.语言是社会人的有意义的活动，是做事的手段，是动作，因此它的功能之一必须是反映人与人间的关系。这个纯理功能称为“人际”（interpersonal）功能。,Hallidays view,Textual metafunction Halliday argues that both experiential and interpersonal functions are intricately organized,but that between the two“there is comparatively very little constraint”.This means that“by and large,you can put any interactional spin on any representational content”.What allows meanings from these two modes to freely combine is the intercession of a third,distinct mode of meaning that Halliday refers to as the textual function.,Textual metafunction Halliday argues that both experiential and interpersonal functions are intricately organized,but that between the two“there is comparatively very little constraint”.This means that“by and large,you can put any interactional spin on any representational content”.What allows meanings from these two modes to freely combine is the intercession of a third,distinct mode of meaning that Halliday refers to as the textual function.3.实际使用中的语言基本单位不是词或句，而是表达相对的来说是完整思想的“语篇”（text），上述两种功能部分最后要由说话人把它们组织成语篇才能实现。这就是语篇（textual）功能。语篇功能使语言和语境发生联系，是说话人只产生与语境相一致的语篇。,my group members view,phatic functiondirective functioninformative functioninterrogative functionexpressive functionevocative functionperformative function,Phatic:establishing an atmosphere or maintaining social contact.Directive:get the hearer to do something.Informative:give information about facts.Interrogative:get information from others.Expressive:express feelings and attitudes of the speaker.Evocative:create certain feelings in the hearer(amuse,startle,soothe,worry or please)Performative:language is used to do things,to perform actions.,亲，这种背景的图片是备注The“phatic function”refers to language being used for setting up a certain atmosphere or maintaining social contacts(rather than for exchanging information or ideas).Greetings,farewells,and comments on the weather in English and on 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 dont say“Hello”to a friend you meet,or if you dont answer his“Hi”,you ruin your friendship.,好The“directive function”means that language may be used to get the hearer to do something.Most imperative sentences perform this function,e.g.,“Tell me the result when you finish.”Other syntactic structures or sentences of other sorts can,according to J.Austin and J.Searles“indrect speech act theory”(see Hu Zhuanglin et al.,pp271-278)at least,serve the purpose of direction too,e.g.,“If I were you,I would have blushed to the bottom of my ears!”,Language serves an“informational function”when used to tell something,characterized by the use of declarative sentences.Informative statements are often labelled as true(truth)or false(falsehood).According to P.Grices“Cooperative Principle”(see Hu Zhuanglin et al.,pp282-283),one ought not to violate the“Maxim of Quality”,when he is informing at all.,When language is used to obtain information,it serves an“interrogative function”.This includes all questions that expect replies,statements,imperatives etc.,according to the“indirect speech act theory”,may have this function as well,e.g.,“Id like to know you better.”This may bring forth a lot of personal information.Note that rhetorical questions make an exception,since they demand no answer,at least not the readers/listeners answer.,The“expressive function”is the use of language to reveal something about the feelings or attitudes of the speaker.Subconscious emotional ejaculations are good examples,like“Good heavens!”“My God!”Sentences like“Im sorry about the delay”can serve as good examples too,though in a subtle way.While language is used for the informative function to pass judgement on the truth or falsehood of statements,language used for the expressive function evaluates,appraises or asserts the speakers own attitudes.,The“evocative function”is the use of language to create certain feelings in the hearer.Its aim is,for example,to amuse,startle,antagonize,soothe,worry or please.Jokes(not practical jokes,though)are supposed to amuse or entertain the listener;advertising to urge customers to purchase certain commodities;propaganda to influence public opinion.Obviously,the expressive and the evocative functions often go together,i.e.,you may express,for example,your personal feelings about a political issue but end up by evoking the same feeling in,or imposing it on,your listener.Thats also the case with the other way round.,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.When asked if a third Yangtze bridge ought to be built in Wuhan,the mayor may say“OK”,which means more than speech,and more than an average social individual may do for the construction.The judges imprisonment sentence,the presidents war or independence declaration,etc.,are performatives as well(see J.Austins speech Act Theory,Hu Zhuanglin,ecal.,pp271-278).,