MAIN FUNCTIONS OF LANGUAGE
The theory I am going to follow is one of the clearest and most
influential, which was formulated by the linguist Roman Jakobson
(1960).
In Jakobson’s model, each of the elements of the communication
process are associated with one of the six macro-functions of
language he proposed.
There have been many, sometimes conflicting attempts to classify
the main functions of language (macro functions) and the elements
of communication.
ROMAN JAKOBSON “LINGUISTICS AND POETICS” (1960)
Jacobson argues that every oral or written verbal message or ‘speech
act’ (parole) has the following elements in common:
• the message itself,
• an addresser,
• an addressee,
• a context (the social and historical context in which the utterance
is made),
• a contact (the physical channel and psychological connection that
obtains between addresser and addressee),
• and a code, common to both addresser and addressee, which
permits communication to occur
Context
Message
Addresser -----------------------> Addressee
Contact
Code
These six elements or ‘factors’ of communication are
associated with a different ‘function’ of language as follows:
Referential
Poetic /Aesthetic / Literary
Emotive-----------------------> Conative
Phatic
Metalinguistic
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THE ADDRESSER is the person who originates the message.
This is usually the same as the person who is sending the message,
but not always, as in the case of messenger, spokespeople and town
criers.
·
THE ADDRESSEE is the person to whom the message is
addressed. This is usually the person who receives the message, but
not necessarily so, as in the case of intercepted letters, bugged
telephone calls, and eavesdropping.
·
THE CHANNEL is the medium through which the message
travels: sound waves, marks on paper, telephone wires or word
processor screens.
•
THE MESSAGE FORM is the particular grammatical and
lexical choices of the message.
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THE TOPIC is the information carried in the message.
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THE CODE is the language or dialect used
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THE SETTING is the social and physical context.
Types of Communication
There are three types of communication, including:
 verbal communication involving listening to a person to
understand the meaning of a message,
 written communication in which a message is read,
 and nonverbal communication involving observing a
person and inferring meaning.
Along with Roman Jacobson's functions of the
language model, we can formulate some basic
queries.
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What is Communication?
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The Categories of Communication.
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The Communication Process.
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Communication Channels.
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Principles of Communication.
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Interpersonal Communication Skills.
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What is an online communication?
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The Benefits of Blogging.
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Verbal communication is the most common form of
communication.
What is verbal communication?
 The sharing of information between individuals by using
speech. Individuals need to use verbal communication
effectively so
• listeners can easily understand spoken words, as well as
• the expression, stress and tone of voice is appropriate.
Elements of Interpersonal Communication
The Communicators
The Message
Noise
Feedback
Context
Channel
• Noise = disruption of interpersonal communication
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The channel refers to the physical means by which the message is transferred from one
person to another.
In face-to-face context the channels which are used are speech and vision, however during
a telephone conversation the channel is limited to speech alone.
efficiency
effectiveness
how well
how useful
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Effective Communication
Happens when the intended meaning of the sender is identical
to the interpreted meaning of the receiver.
• Communication
sharing information
influencing
• Persuasion
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• Expert power
• Reliability
• Honesty
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• Written channels
• Spoken channels
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Nonverbal communication takes place through
gestures, facial expressions, body position, eye
contact, and habit of interpersonal distance.
• Mixed messages
communication technologies
nonverbal
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Active listening
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Guidelines of good listening
• Stop talking.
• Make the other person feel comfortable and at ease.
• Show that you are willing to listen.
• Eliminate any potential distractions.
• Don’t answer too quickly; be patient.
• Don’t get annoyed; hold your temper.
• Treat gently arguments and critique.
• Keep asking questions.
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Active Listening
Hear What People are Really Saying
How well we listen has a major impact on the quality of our
relationships with others.
For instance:
• We listen to obtain information.
• We listen to understand.
• We listen for enjoyment.
• We listen to learn.
to reflect
ask
• Reflect
• Ask
• Summarize
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Communication Channels is the term given to the way in
which we communicate. There are multiple communication
channels available to us today, for example face-to-face
conversations, telephone calls, text messages, email, the
Internet (including social media such as Facebook and
Twitter), radio and TV, written letters, brochures and reports
to name just a few.
Communication theory states that communication involves a
sender and a receiver (or receivers) conveying information
through a communication channel.
Choosing an appropriate communication channel is vital for
effective communication as each communication channel
has different strengths and weaknesses.
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Top 10 Ways to Improve Your Communication
Skills
1. Listen, Really Listen
2. Up Your Empathy
3. Be Brief Yet Specific
4. Tailor Your Message to Your Audience
5. Put Away the Distractions
6. Ask Questions and Repeat the Other Person
7. Tell a Story
8. Have a Script for Small Talk and Other Occasions
9. Get Rid of Unnecessary Conversation Fillers Um's and Ah's
10. Watch Your Body Language
“Diversity is the one true thing we have in
common.”
Diversity provides a lesson for each of us to be okay with and
open to those things that set us apart – race, gender, sexual
orientation, religion, physical and mental ability, language (the
list goes on) and understanding and accepting of people for
who they are.
Being culturally aware provides an opportunity to stand back
and consider that there are certain backgrounds, personal
values, beliefs and upbringings that shape the things we all
do.
Something that is considered inappropriate behavior in one
culture may be perfectly appropriate in another.
•Ethnocentrism can cause people to:
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There are TWO types of Attribution:
1. Internal attribution
2. External attribution
• In an internal, or dispositional, attribution, people infer that an
event or a person's behavior is due to personal factors such
as traits, abilities, or feelings. They explain a behavior, based
on a person's personality.
In an external, or situational, attribution,
People infer that a person's behavior is due to situational
factors. They don't explain the behavior, based on a person's
personality.
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Halo effects
• Occur when one attribute is used to develop an overall
impression of a person or situation.
• The tendency for an estimate or judgment to be influenced
by an irrelevant or only loosely associated factor, impression,
etc.
Ethical issues in communication…
• We should maintain high ethical standards
• Unethical behavior can lead to short-term gains but long-term
losses.
• Ethical dilemmas in online connections :
online identity, online language, online confidentiality.
and consensus
The Benefits of Blogging
Helping students with their
future professional prospects
should be a strong argument
in favor of bringing blogging
into the classroom.
Moreover blogging offers a
number of added benefits to
the learning process.
http://gettingsmart.com/2013/12/benefits-blogging-learning-toolpart-1/
References
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Jeremy Hunsinger, Lisbeth Klastrup, Matthew M. Allen Springer Science & Business Media, Jun 17,
2010
Rational Discourse and Poetic Communication: Methods of Linguistic, Literary, and Philosophical
Analysis Roland Posner Walter de Gruyter, 1982 - Language Arts & Disciplines
Communication to Self in Organizations and Cultures
1983), pp. 482-495Published by: Sage Publications, Inc.
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Promoting Social Communication Skills Through Cooperative Learning and Direct Instruction
Robert B. Rutherford Jr., Sarup R. Mathur and Mary M. Quinn Education and Treatment of Children
Vol. 21, No. 3 (AUGUST 1998), pp. 354-369
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Antony, M. & Swinson, R. (2000). Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook: Proven Techniques for Overcoming Your
Fears. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger
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Antony, M. (2004). 10 Simple Solutions to Shyness. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger
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Burns, D. D. (1985). Intimate Connections. New York: Signet (Penguin Books)
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McKay, M., Davis, M., & Fanning, P. (1995). Messages: The Communication Skills Book. Oakland, CA: New
Harbinger
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Paterson, R. (2000). The Assertiveness Workbook: How to Express Your Ideas and Stand Up for Yourself at Work
and In Relationships. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger