group 11 ANITA & ROSDIANA

NAME : ANITA         (2130730003)

   ROSDIANA (2130730016)

GROUP : 11/ VI/A

 

LANGUAGE FUNCTIONS

A language function refers to the purpose for which speech or writing is being used. In speech these include:

• giving instructions
• introducing ourselves
• making requests

In academic writing we use a range of specific functions in order to communicate ideas clearly. These include:

• describing processes
• comparing or contrasting things or ideas, and
• classifying objects or ideas

• Functions are how the way we use a language.

Example: Expressing needs and likes. Describing people, places, and things.

• Forms are the structure of language manifestation.

Example: Indirect/ direct object, subject/ verb agreement, pronouns. Nouns, pronouns, adjectives.

Halliday’s Seven Functions of Language

The functional approach to describing language is one that has its roots in the traditions of British linguist J. R. Firth. Since then the term “function” has been variously interpreted. There are seven different functions of language:

1. Instrumental function serves to manipulate the environment to cause certain events to happen.
2. Regulatory function of language is the control of events.
3. Representational function is the use of language to make statements, convey facts and knowledge, explain, or report-that is to “represent” really as one sees is.
4. Interactional function of language serve to ensure social maintenance.
5. Personal function allows a speaker to express feelings, emotions, personality, “gut-level” reactions.
6. Heuristic function involves language used to acquire knowledge, to learn about the environment.
7. Imaginative function serve to create imaginary systems or ideas.

Functional Approaches to Language Teaching

National-functional syllabuses attended to functions as organizing element of a foreign language curriculum. Structural syllabus was relegated to a secondary focus. Functional syllabuses remain today in modified form. There are first several lessons of an advanced-beginner’s textbook. New Vistas I (Brown, 1999):

• Introducing self and other people.
• Exchanging personal information.
• Asking how to spell someone’s name.
• Giving commands.
• Apologizing and thanking.
• Identifying and describing people.
• Asking for information.

Discourse Analysis

Discourse Analysis- the examination of the relationship between forms and functions of language. Discourse is language beyond the sentence. In most oral language, our discourse is marked by exchanges with another person or several persons in which a few sentences spoken by one participant are allowed and built upon by sentences spoken by another.