Introduction to Jakobson's Functions of Language

Functions of Language

Referential

  • Describes language users sharing information that is presented as factual and objective

“The sun rises in the east” and “Sales are up 3% this quarter”

Emotive

  • Expresses emotions and desires

  • How emotions (real or not) are presented

“Wow, what a view!”

Conative

  • Involves questions, directions and commands, to create an audience interaction

“Andy! Come inside and eat!”

Phatic

  • Creates and maintains social connections

“Can you hear me?” and “Good morning!”

Metalinguistic

  • Describes the language itself

  • Speakers check if they have been understood or are using the right type of language

  • When language is used to describe the language itself

“In other words…” and “What do you mean by that?”

Poetic

  • Considers the wit, beauty, or aesthetics of the language

“The cat sat on the mat”

Analysing Function

  • Some texts will have language that reflects multiple functions

  • Use metalanguage to label language that reflects the function

  • Be line range specific about which sections of the text reflect the function

Strategic Choice: Analyse examples that have two different functions

How to Analyse Function

  1. Find an example of language that reflects a function

  2. Label the metalanguage in the example

  3. Analyse how using this metalanguage reflects the function

  4. Link this analysis back to the function of the language.

Example 1: Conative Function (Addressing the Addressee)

Step 1: Find an example of language that reflects a function
"Please submit your assignment by Friday."

Step 2: Label the metalanguage in the example

  • Imperative verb: “submit”

  • Politeness marker: “please”

  • Temporal reference: “by Friday”

Step 3: Analyse how using this metalanguage reflects the function

  • The imperative verb directs the addressee to perform an action, which is central to the conative function.

  • The politeness marker softens the command, making it socially acceptable.

  • The temporal reference provides clarity and urgency, reinforcing the directive nature.

Step 4: Link this analysis back to the function of the language

  • These features serve the conative function, as the utterance aims to influence the behaviour of the addressee.

    The sentence “Please submit your assignment by Friday” demonstrates the conative function, which aims to influence the addressee’s behavior. The imperative verb “submit” directs the listener to take action, while the politeness marker “please” softens the command, making it socially acceptable. The temporal reference “by Friday” adds urgency and clarity. These linguistic choices fulfill the conative function by guiding the addressee toward completing a specific task.

Example 2: Emotive Function (Expressing the Speaker’s Feelings)

Step 1: Find an example of language that reflects a function
"I’m absolutely delighted with the results!"

Step 2: Label the metalanguage in the example

  • First-person pronoun: “I”

  • Emotion word: “delighted”

  • Intensifier: “absolutely”

Step 3: Analyse how using this metalanguage reflects the function

  • The first-person pronoun personalizes the statement, showing it’s about the speaker’s feelings.

  • The emotion word explicitly conveys a positive emotional state.

  • The intensifier amplifies the emotion, making the expression stronger.

Step 4: Link this analysis back to the function of the language

  • These features fulfill the emotive function, as the utterance communicates the speaker’s internal state.

The sentence “I’m absolutely delighted with the results!” reflects the emotive function, which expresses the speaker’s feelings. The use of the first-person pronoun “I” personalizes the statement, while the emotion word “delighted” explicitly conveys a positive emotional state. Additionally, the intensifier “absolutely” amplifies the emotion, making the expression stronger. These features work together to fulfill the emotive function by communicating the speaker’s internal experience.