Language Functions: Jakobson

Language Functions

• Roman Jakobson defined six functions of language (or

communication functions), according to which an effective
act of verbal communication can be described. Each of the
functions has an associated factor. For this work, Jakobson
was influenced by Karl Bühler's organon model, to which he
added the poetic, phatic and metalingual functions.
 Language Functions

•
The referential function: corresponds to the factor of Context and
describes a situation, object or mental state. The descriptive statements of
the referential function can consist of both definite descriptions
and deictic words, e.g. "The autumn leaves have all fallen now." Similarly,
the referential function is associated with an element whose true value is
under questioning especially when the truth value is identical in both the
real and assumptive universe.
•
The poetic function: focuses on "the message for its own sake" (the code
itself, and how it is used) and is the operative function in poetry as well as
slogans.
•
The emotive (alternatively called "expressive" or "affective") function:
relates to the Addresser (sender) and is best exemplified
by interjections and other sound changes that do not alter the denotative
meaning of an utterance but do add information about the Addresser's
(speaker's) internal state, e.g. "Wow, what a view!"
 Language Functions

• The conative function: engages the Addressee (receiver) directly and

is best illustrated by vocatives and imperatives, e.g. "Tom! Come
inside and eat!"
• The phatic function: is language for the sake of interaction and is
therefore associated with the Contact/Channel factor. The Phatic
Function can be observed in greetings and casual discussions of the
weather, particularly with strangers. It also provides the keys to
open, maintain, verify or close the communication channel: "Hello?",
"Ok?", "Hummm", "Bye"...
• The metalingual (alternatively called "metalinguistic" or "reflexive")
function: is the use of language (what Jakobson calls "Code") to
discuss or describe itself.
 Language Functions

The model that served as the foundation for Roman Jakobson’s

expansion and development of the communicative functions of language
was originally developed by Karl Bühler. His system, known as the
Organon Model, represented the three primary components of language.
Bühler “developed his conception of the triadic instrumental character
of language on the basis of the three fundaments of the speech situation,
namely addresser, addressee, and things as the objects of discourse
.Figure A is his original depiction of these three fundaments, while his
later work, shown in Figure B, considers not only the focus of
conversation but also the function which each performs: expressing the
addresser’s emotion, the appeal towards the addressee, or reference to or
representation of an object or the state of affairs.
Language Functions
 Language Functions

• Roman Jakobson proposed three additional functions, making

a total of six fundamental factors, each assuming an
orientation within the verbal message:
The table below is a compilation that contains a brief overview of each function’s
classification, orientation, role, and an example to illustrate its use:

Strongest
Classification Factor
Function Examples
descriptions, contextual Our business hours are 9am-
Referential Context information 5pm, Monday through Friday.

interjections/expressions of Oh, man… Awesome! Whew!

Emotive Addresser emotional state
concerned with Go on, open it! Shoo.
Conative Addressee commanding; vocative or imperative Get out of here. Check this out.
addressing of the receiver

concerns channel of Hey!

Phatic Contact communication; performs social Mmmhmmm….How about
task as opposed to conveying that?
information; to establish, prolong, or Really? No way.
discontinue conversation

requires language analysis; using Noun, adjective, code-

Metalinguistic Code language to discuss language switching
Water is a non-count noun,
right?
involves choosing words But, soft! What light through
Poetic/Aesthetic Message carefully; the art of words, often yonder window breaks?
self-reflective
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• These classifications are by no means intended to be

considered as mutually exclusive; rather, each utterance can
be classified into the function whose primary purpose it
serves, but many speech events will serve a complex purpose.
As such, it is sometimes up to the discretion of the speaker,
listener, or analyst to determine the intent behind what is
being expressed, which can pose challenges in
communication, particularly for speakers with lower levels of
proficiency.
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In “The Speech Event and the Functions of Language,” Jakobson (1995) explains that “although we distinguish six
basic aspects of language, we could…hardly find verbal messages that would fulfill only one function. The diversity
lies not in a monopoly of some one of these several functions, but in a different hierarchical order of functions”. The
Necker cube, whose lower-most left or uppermost right corner may be perceived as being closest to the observer,
is illustrative of the subjectivity with which utterances may be perceived and their functions classified, but at least
one of the six functions in Jakobson’s model will always be present and essential to effective communication. The
sections that follow will describe the functions included in Jakobson’s model and discuss considerations for each in
the field of TESOL.
 References

• Middleton, Richard (April 1, 1990). Studying Popular Music.

Philadelphia, UK: McGraw-Hill Education. p. 241. ISBN 0-335-
15275-9.
• Waugh, Linda R. (1980). "The Poetic Function in the Theory of
Roman Jakobson". Poetics Today. Duke University Press. 2 (1): 57–
82. doi:10.2307/1772352.
• "The Real Functions of Language". Paper Written. January 16, 2017.
Retrieved August 18, 2017.
• Angela C. Tribus, The Communicative Functions of Language:
An Exploration of Roman Jakobson’s Theory in TESOL, Thesis,
Spring 5-1-2017.