Collected by Dr.
Trần Thị Thanh Diệu
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CHAPTER 3: LANGUAGE FUNCTIONS
Language has macro functions and micro functions.
o Macro functions are the main functions of language, serve more overal aim.
o Micro functions refer to specific individual uses
1. Macro function
1.1 Factors of communication and functions of language
According to Jakobson, any act of verbal communication is composed of six elements, or factors (the terms of
the model): (1) an addresser (a sender, or enunciator ), (2) an addressee (a receiver, or enunciatee), (3) a
message (4) a contact between an addresser and addressee/ chanel, (5) a context (the co-text, that is, the other
verbal signs in the same message, and the world in which the message takes place), (6) a common code, and
(7) a setting.
Each factor is the focal point of an oriented relation, or function, that operates between the message and the
factor. This yields six functions:
Factors of communication and functions of language
Target factor and
TARGET FACTOR SOURCE FACTOR FUNCTION
function no.
1 Addresser Message Emotive
2 Addressee Message Conative/ dirrective
3 Message Message Poetic
4 Contact/ chanel Message Phatic
5 Context/ topic Message Referential
6 Code Message Metalingual
7 Setting Message Context
In the orther word, in order to determine the macro-functions of language, many linguists have
identified the elements of communication. The (most commonly referred to) elements of communication are:
- The addresser: person who originates the message – usually the one who sends the message (but not
always – e.g. messengers, spokespersons)
- The addressee: person to whom the message is addressed – usually the one who receives message
(but not always – e.g. eavesdropping)
- The message form: particular grammatical/lexical choices of the message
- The channel: medium through which message travels (e.g. telephone wires, sound waves, marks on paper …)
- The topic: information carried in the message
- The code: language or dialect
- The setting: social/physical context
1.2 Types of micro functions of language
Each macro-function focuses attention upon one of the above elements.
Collected by Dr. Trần Thị Thanh Diệu
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1.2.1. The emotive function
– communicating emotions and inner states of the addresser
e.g. wow!
brilliant!
shit!
1.2.2. The directive/ conative function
– seeking to affect the behaviour of the addressee
e.g. please pay attention
stop that!
I’m warning you!
1.2.3. The phatic function
– opening/checking the channel (for social/practical reasons)
e.g. have we met before?
are you married?
hello?
can you hear me at the back?
1.2.4. The poetic function
– the form chosen is crucial to the message
e.g. BEANZ MEANZ HEINZ (= If you are buying BEAN, you wil naturally buy HEINZ)
1.2.5. The referential function
– convey information
e.g. your class test is tomorrow
your fly is open
that’s her husband
1.2.6. The metalinguistic function
– focusing on the code (for clarity/renegotiation)
e.g. What is the meaning of this word here?
These type of cohesive devices are called conjunctions
1.2.7. The contextual function
– creating particular kind of communication
e.g. shall we begin the interview now?
everyone should take part in the role play
2. Micro function
The breakdown of a kind of macro function into smaller parts/ subtypes for specific individual uses but
no list could ever claim to be exhaustive and complete
(Students draw a tree of micro function from doing some research and exercises as well as page 27 –
Discourse_Guy Cook: GROUPWORK)
