Referential Function (Context)
Referential Function (Context)
Fa17-BSEng-026
Quiz
Language is diverse and sentences involved in verbal communication when dissected indicate to be
performing multiple functions at a single point. Roman Jakobson categorizes these functions in 6 major
categorize. These factors needed in any verbal communication are:
It is the most apparent and the most dominant function requiring cognitive comprehension and
communicates information by referring to it or denoting it. It communicates facts or information.
Addresser is associated with the emotional function which communicates upon the delivery of an
emotion and not to give away any information in the expression. Emotive function also involves time and
way of utterance to denote to an emotion.
This function is usually performed by interjections a ending in an exclamation mark, by cuss words,
intonation, emotive exclamatory gestures and the way, the tone and the speed of utterance.
A conative function is directed towards the addressee and requires a comprehension or an answering
reaction, verbal or physical. These are usually generated by commanding expressions or vocatives,
imperatives and uttered verbs requiring an action or performatives (speech-act verbs).
Metalinguistic function is the first function of language (code) which is language directed to its own self
and it occurs when language discusses its own self. It ensures that each of the sides uses the same
code and makes sure that the language is for everybody involved in the situation.
The Phatic function of language deals with the contact time and length. It either prolongs communication,
continues it by keeping on prompting it or discontinues it. It involves questions and statements which
control the contact or the communication length in a verbal exchange.
The poetic function of language is for it's own sake and involves the structural build-up of it such as the
poetic devices involved like rhyme and the grammatical phenomena such as puns, alliteration, repetition
etc.
As an example of all these six functions, following is a situation in which two friends meet up after school
and hold up a verbal exchange ( a dialogue) regarding about everyday mundane things. The functions
have been highlighted in the exchange!
A : “Hey!”
B : “Hello ! How are you?” (Phatic function: as this question is prolonging the contact)
A : “I am good, it’s incredibly hot today!” (Referential function: as this statement is delivering a
fact about the day and about the addressee or in other words is providing information setting up
the exchange's context)
B : Ugh (Emotive: as it is expressing the emotion of frustration on part of the addressee), true!
A : “The Scorching Sun (Poetic: as this utterance involves alliteration (the repetition of the sound
's' in the beginning of both the words) is being exceptionally cruel today.”
B : “I want ice-cream, *points to the shop* Go get us some.” (Conative: This statement is imperative
in nature and is prompting an action via a command in speech i.e. commanding A to get ice-
cream)
A : “What is it about ice-cream that you like so much?” (Phatic Function: This question is ageing
promoting the contact and hence is Phatic in nature)
B : “Its just perfect for this type of weather, do you get me?” (Metalinguistic: As this question is
making sure that both the Addresser and the addressee share the same code and the addressee
gets what the Addresser is conveying)