Michael Halliday's Function Of Language Theory

When children learn to talk they use language to get things done, showing why children speak and not just how.

Taxonomy of Language:

• Instrumental: Expresses needs e.g. want juice. Language is used to fulfil a child’s need, directly concerned with obtaining food, drink and comfort.

• Regulatory: Language used to influence the behaviour of others. Concerned with commanding, persuading and requesting. E.g. “go away” or “can I have a toy?”

• Interactional: Language used to develop social relationships and is concerned with the phatic dimension of talk.

• Personal: Used to express - feelings, opinions and individual identity e.g. “me good girl” or “watch me”

• Heuristic: Language used to explore and gain knowledge about the environment - e.g. why is the sky blue reflects the child’s curiosity.

• Imaginative: Language is used to tell stories and jokes to create an imaginary environment

• Representational: Use of language to convey facts and information e.g. I’ve got something to tell you or Miss Roberts says that bees are very important

Theories contradicting Halliday =

Chomsky argues that children are programmed to acquire language naturally, while Halliday argues