LANGUAGE FUNCTIONS

                                     INTRODUCTION

     English, the global language has many function as a language. English is the native language of  Britain one of the capitalist country in the world once upon a time.  Many countries include USA are colonies of Britain. Due to their colonisation many countries have English as their official language. 

     The function of English language was defined by Geoffery Leech. According to him their are five functions.  Informational function, Expressive function, Directive function, Aesthetic function, and Phatic function.  Here we analyse a unit and find which language functions are used.

Informational function

    Informational function can be considered as most important, since it helps us to deliver messages, describe things, and give our listener new information.  It is also related  to aspects like truth, value and logic.

Eg: Language is a system of communication

Expressive fuction

     Expressive function helps as to express our attitude and feelings without delivering any particular information.  Normally, swear words and various exclamations are used in  expressive functions.  It is commonly used in literature and poetry. 

Eg: I love the song very much

Directive function

     Directive function of language is used to induce certain actions or reactions.  It is used in commands and requests.  Affective and situational meanings of phrase are most important as it is a function of social control and inter personal interaction. The reaction of the listener determines whether such a phrase is achieved the target or not.

Eg: stand up, sit down, open the door, shut up, get out

Aesthetic function

     Aesthetic function is considered as linguistic artifact.  It does not have any particular purpose like other functions.  It is a tool of poetic art where the beauty of chosen words and phrases is more important than the usefulness of the information.

Eg: gorgorius, stunning, elegant

Phatic function

     Phatic function helps to maintain social relationship and to begin or continue the conversation.  The real reason for such a talk is not our interest but simply our desire to talk.  

Eg: How is your job?

UNIT 4

THE MAGIC RING

one morning - informational function

Abin, sit here - directive function

Abin's father sailed away in a small boat - informational function

Hours passed - Aesthetic function

The fishing boat were coming back - Informational function

looked at blue sea - Aesthetic function

what a huge fish! - Expressive function

It opened it mouth at regular intervals - Informational function

How beautiful! - Expressive function

Wait here - directive function

He had never seen such a large fish alive- Informational function

we will take this fish to market - Phatic function

gleamed in the sun - Aesthetic function

fins and tail were blue - Informational function

pink eyes - Aesthetic function

poor fish - Expressive function

Abin felt sad - Expressive function

deep blue sea - Aesthetic function

where is the fish? - phatic function

father raised his voice - Expressive function

                               CONCLUTION

    when we analyse the functions of language in the unit  "The magic ring" text book of class III. We find that the most used language function is informational function. The amazing thing is that, The Aesthetic function is also find in many times even it is a rare function of language.  In this unit we can see all function. According to Geoffery Leech there is five function of language, that five function is used in this unit.