nature language

8/14/2019 Nature Language

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Nature and Function of Language

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efinitions Of Langauge

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MACMILLAN ENGLISHDICTIONARY(second edition)

1. the method of human communication using spoken or writtenwords

1a. the style or types of words used by a person or group2. the particular form of words and speech that is

used by the people of a country, area or socialgroup

3. signs, symbols, sounds, and other methods of communicatinginformation, feelings or ideas

Metaphor

Language and words are like food , and the emotions that words express arelike flavours.

Language and speech are like animal noises, especially when people areexpressing particular attitudes or emotions.

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A human system of communication that usesarbitrary signals , such as voice sounds, gestures, or

written symbols. The study of language iscalled 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 ofcommunication using sounds or symbols that enablesus to express our feelings, thoughts, ideas, and

experiences.-E. Bruce Goldstein, Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research,

and Everyday Experience , 2nd ed. Thomson, 2008

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Purposes of language

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Expressive purposes

Language can be used simply to express ones feelings,ideas or attitudes, without necessarily taking a readeror listener into consideration.

He/she is merely giving vent to emotions or needs.Diaries and journals are obvious examples of languageused for expressive purposes.

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Informative purposes

The informative function affirms or deniespropositions, as in science or the statement of a fact.

This function is used to describe the world or reasonabout it.

These sentences have a truth value; that is, thesentences are either true or false.

Important for logic.

Eg.:1) a news bulletin board at your school2) textbooks3) a cinema guide

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Cognitive purposes

When language is used cognitively, it is with theintention of affecting the audience in some way inorder to evoke some type of response.

Therefore, when one uses language to persuade,entertain, stir to anger or arouse sympathy, one isusing language for cognitive purposes.

Eg.:1) Jokes2) Political speeches3)Horror stories

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Poetic purposes

Language used in literary, stylistic or imaginative waysis poetic.

The user focuses on the structure and pattern of thelanguage and places emphasis on the manner in whichthe language is manipulated.

Language used for poetic purposes is not necessarilydone in verse. It is the way in which the language isused, and not its form, that indicates its poeticpurpose.

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Phatic purposes

Sometimes language is used simply to establish ormaintain contact among people , maintain social

customs. It is obviously in spoken communication. It does not necessarily seek to generate a meaningfulresponse.

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.

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Metalinguistic purposes

This is the use of language to comment on, refer to ordiscuss language itself. A critique of your friends essayor speech is metalinguistic, so it the blurb on the backof a novel. When you use language to considerlanguage your purpose is metalinguistic.

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Functions of language

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


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Contrasting IdeasFormula Example Explanation

main statement, but contrastingstatement

I'd really like to come to thefilm, but I have to studytonight.

Use a comma or semi colon (;)with 'but'. 'But' is the mostcommon way to showcontrasting ideas.

main statement, in spite of

contrasting statement ORin spite of contrasting statement,main statement

They continued on their

journey, in spite of the pouringrain.

Use 'in spite of' plus a noun,

noun phrase or gerund

main statement, despite contrastingstatement OR

Despite contrasting statement,main statement

They continued on their journey, despite the pouring

rain.

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

main statement, althoughcontrasting statement ORAlthough contrasting statement,main statement

We wanted to buy a sports car,although we knew that fast carscan be dangerous.

Use 'although' with a subjectand a verb.

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Making complaints

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Formula Example Finish

I'm sorry to have to say thisbut

I think we need to takeanother approach.

I'm sorry to bother you, but I think you need to refinethis layout.

Maybe you forgot to include his name andnumber.

I think you might haveforgotten to

finish the report on time.

Excuse me if I'm out of line,

but

your work has not been

adequate lately.There may have been amisunderstanding about

what I expected from you.

Don't get me wrong, but Ithink we should

concentrate on the Smithaccount for the moment.


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Asking for Information There are a number of formulas used when asking

for information in English. Here are some of the mostcommon:

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...

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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 formsincluding, 'ought to' and 'had better' which are moreformal.

Here are some of the most common:1. You should see a doctor.2. I don't think you should work so hard.3. You ought to work less.

4. You ought not to work so hard.5. If I were you , I'd work less.6. If I were in your position , I'd work less.

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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.

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Saying NO nicely Sometimes you need to say no when someone makes a

suggestion, offers something or asks you to do something forthem. 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 thecity.

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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 youneed to state a preference politely if you do not want to do what hasbeen 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?

2. Why don't we have some chinese food?Well, I'd prefer eating Italian. What do you think?

3. What do you think we should do?If it were up to me, I'd go out for dinner.

4. 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.

5. Let's go to a museum.

6. How about going to a museum. ARINA.HAIZUM.SYAZWI


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THATS ALL, MERCI!

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