Sociocultural Communication

FAMILIES OF LINGUISTIC FUNCTIONS

332TRS/ECFG

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020
DLIELC
Linguistic Functions 20200909 jm Page 2 of 2
 Sociocultural Communication

Statement of Intent: Linguistic functions are linguistic and cognitive skills will aid students in navigating through different content
areas and within different contexts.
According to Bloom’s Taxonomy, certain language functions require a higher linguistic load than others. This document attempts to
categorize the language functions used in the ALC3 into general families and then into more specific contexts. After that, they are
categorized by formal and informal functions.

Linguistic Functions 20200909 jm Page 2 of 2

 Sociocultural Communication

Header Functions
- Correct a misunderstanding Correct a misunderstanding Fill silence
- Buy time I’m sorry, I didn’t make my meaning clear. OK, so….
- Interrupt That’s not exactly what I mean(t) to say. Uh huh…
- Change the topic I don’t think you get/got my meaning. Hmmmm….
- Give reassurance We’re not on the same page. Let me say that again. Really?
- Fill silence All right, well….
- Apologize Buy Time
- Accept an apology Just one moment, please. Apologize
Give me just a second. I’m so sorry.
- Saving face
Wait a minute/second. I’m sorry.
- Taking responsibility
Hold on a minute. I apologize for…
Hang on. Sorry about that.
Used for: My bad.
Casual conversation Interrupt
Initial introductions May I make a comment? Accept an apology
Class discussions I apologize for interrupting, but… It’s OK.
Dialogues with coworkers/instructors Excuse me, may I interrupt you briefly? No worries.
Causal public interactions (i.e. grocery store, Sorry to interrupt, but… Thank you for your apology.
movie theater, mall, etc.) I’m going to stop you right there. I accept your apology.

Change the topic Save face

Changing the subject, I was just about to….
Not to change the subject, but… I didn’t mean….
On a different note, What I meant to say was….
Moving on to something different, Oh, I’m sure….
By the way, I don’t remember….
Let’s talk about something else. Did I really….?

Give reassurance Take responsibility

Trust me. That was my fault.
I’ve got this under control. I did/didn’t do….
I can handle it. Don’t worry. It was me.
I got this.

Linguistic Functions 20200909 jm Page 2 of 2

 Academic and Professional Functions
Headers Functions
- Duties/Responsibilities Duties/Responsibilities/Tasks/Assignments Redirect
- Authority Could you handle this for me? Thank you for your ideas. Could we bring the discussion back to
- Tasks/Assignments Would you take on that responsibility? the topic at hand?
- Redirect I need you to take care of….. At this point, we’re only discussing….
- Conclude a discussion You’ll be in charge of…. Let’s keep the focus on our topic.
- Take the floor Let’s get (name) to handle that. We’ll discuss that later. Let’s concentrate on our primary
- Keep the floor subject.
- Cede the floor Take the floor All right, let’s bring it back around.
Allow me to begin.
- Propose a plan
May I take the lead? Conclude a discussion
- Accept a plan
I’ll start us off. We only have a few minutes left.
- Reject a plan
I guess I’ll go first. It’s almost time to go.
- Defend a point I’d like to introduce myself… I see that our time is up.
- Negotiate I’ll introduce myself first. Let’s wrap this up so we can go to break.
- Compare/Contrast Solutions/Ideas Hi! My name is…
- Hypothesize I’m…. Propose a plan
- Generalize I’ve come up with an idea.
- Prioritize Keep the floor What do you think about….?
- Cover contingencies I’d be happy to hear your thoughts after I finish. What if we did….?
- Summarize/Recap Could you hold that thought until I finish? I’ve got a plan/an idea!
- Paraphrase/Restate I’d like to finish first, and then I’ll take comments and Let’s…..
questions.
Used for: Please, let me finish. Accept a plan
Essays Hang on a minute. I’m not done. I like that plan.
Presentations Let’s do that!
Reports Cede the floor Good idea!
Briefings That concludes my thoughts. You hit the nail on the head with that one!
Group Discussions Thank you for listening.
Academic settings Please ask any questions at this time. Reject a plan
All right, your turn! Let’s look at the plan and see what we can change.
Can we talk about this more before we make a decision?
I don’t think that’s going to work.

Linguistic Functions 20200909 jm Page 2 of 2

 Decision Making
Headers Functions
− Identify a problem Identify a problem Defend a position
− Analyze the problem The problem I see is… I think that we should do this because….
− Create COAs Let’s take a look at the issue. I’ve checked the information, and this is a good option
− Analyze COAs Here’s my take on the situation. because….
− Compare/Contrast COAs Let’s take a closer look at this. This is the best way to handle this situation.
− Evaluate COA Let’s get to the bottom of this (issue). I’m convinced that this is the right way to handle it.
− Propose COA
− Accept COA Analyze the problem Negotiate
− Reject COA So, what do we (already) know about the What do you think about trying this?
situation? Let’s look at what we can agree on.
− Create branches and sequels
Let’s look at the facts. Let’s find some middle ground here.
− Defend a position
We need to figure out exactly what the facts are. I think we can look at this again and find the best solution.
− Negotiate
The facts are…
− Redirect
Redirect
− Hypothesize Create Course(s) of Action (COA) Can we wrap up discussion on this point before we bring in
− Generalize There are a few ways we can approach a new ideas?
− Prioritize COA/this… Could you hold your thought for a few minutes?
− Summarize/Recap I think the best way to handle this is… We need to get back on (the) topic.
− Paraphrase/Restate Why don’t we…? And how does your point relate to the topic at hand?
− Evaluate performance Would ____ be an option? Thank you for your input, but we need to keep it on topic.
Maybe we should… Can you hold that thought for a few minutes?
Used for: Analyze COAs Great comment, but we need to focus on the topic at hand.
Table discussions Let’s look at the COAs and make sure they meet
Presentations the criteria. Hypothesize
Group discussions The objective of this COA is… According to the text, I think (that)….
Persuasive speeches/briefings How will this COA solve the problem? Based on what we discussed, I believe (that)….
I can hypothesize/imagine/assume that….
Compare/Contrast COAs
How are these COAs similar? Generalize
What are the differences in these COAs? Generally speaking,….
These COAs are very similar, but there are some People usually….
important differences. Most of the time….
In general,….

4
 Decision Making
Evaluate COAs It’s common knowledge that….
Which COA do you recommend/is the best option?
Let’s decide which one we want to use. Prioritize
We can use this one, but we need to revise it a Let’s start with this (one).
little. First things first.
Let’s rate these COAs from 1-5. Why don’t we begin by…?
The first thing we should do is….
Propose COA
So, this is what I think we should do. Summarize/Recap
This is my idea for the COA we need to take. Let me summarize what I/we’ve covered:….
I came up with an idea that we could use. Let’s review/go over….
Here is my proposal for the COA. Let’s recap what we’ve discussed.
My proposal is… To sum things up,….
In summary, ….
Accept COA
That sounds like a great idea! Paraphrase/Restate
Let’s do that. In other words,….
That’s a good idea. To put it another way,….
I like that plan. Let me restate that.
Sounds good! I’ll rephrase it.
Reject a COA
I don’t think that’s exactly what I’m looking for. Evaluate performance
I don’t really like that option. I think that we did well with that.
I see some problems with that plan. There were a lot of good points, but I’d like to improve….
Let’s try a different option. Overall, this activity was successful, but there are points for
Maybe a different option would be better. improvement.

Create branches and sequels

If … happens, we’ll need to….
We need to be prepared for….
Just in case, we’ll….
Let’s go back and look to make sure that we
covered all our bases.

5
 Making and Responding to Requests
Headers Functions
- Make a request/offer Make a request/offer Request permission
- Refuse a(n) offer/request Could you please…? May I …?
- Request specific information I’ve got a request. Can I…?
- Accept a request I need to request…. Do you mind if …?
- Request permission I’d like you to…. Is it OK if I …?
- Give permission I need you to…. Would it be alright if I …?
- Deny permission Would you mind…?
Give permission
Refuse a(n) offer/request Sure. Go ahead.
Would you like…? You may.
Used for:
Can I offer you…? No problem.
Classroom conversations
Please, let me offer you…. Of course.
Instruction Do you want…? That’s a go.
Superior/subordinate interactions
Request specific information Deny permission
Could you tell me exactly how to…? I’m sorry, I can’t allow that.
Can you give me the specifics? I’m afraid not.
Would you mind telling me exactly what I need? Unfortunately, I can’t give you permission to do that.
I need more specific information, please. That’s not authorized.
Nope.
Accept a request Not a chance.
Sure, I’d be happy to. That’s a no go.
Yes, sir/ma’am.
Of course.
Absolutely!

6
Making and Responding to Requests

7

Headers
- Duties/Responsibilities
- Authority
- Tasks/Assignments
- Give commands
- Lead a group discussion
Used for:
Making assignments
Role play
Delegating/Directing
Functions
Delegate duties/responsibilities
I need you to….
You’ll be in charge of….
This is gonna be your responsibility.
You’ll be taking care of….
Let’s have (name) handle that.
Authority
I’m placing you in command of….
You have command/the helm.
Tasks/Assignments
Your role is going to be ….
I need you to do something for me.
I’m going to assign you the job of….
Give commands
Do it now.
Open your book.
Find the answer.
Let’s get going (on this).
Lead a group discussion
OK, this is the situation we’re dealing with.
Thank you all for being here. We’ll begin the discussion with….
We have several items on the agenda, so let’s begin.
There’s a lot to get done today, so let’s start with item 1 on the agenda.
8
 Expressing/Telling/Giving
Headers Functions
- Agreement/Disagreement Agreement Dislikes
- Doubt/Uncertainty I agree. I don’t like ….
- Opinions/Facts/Ideas/Beliefs/Examples You’re right. That’s the worst!
- Advice/Suggestions/Reasons That’s how I feel, too. That’s not my favorite.
- Permission/Clarification Definitely.
- Likes/Dislikes/Preferences For sure! Preferences
- Understanding Yep! I prefer ….
- Descriptions Hooah/Oorah! I’d rather ….
Yes, sir/ma’am. My preference is ….
- Report an event
By all means.
- Instructions/Directions
Understanding
- Brief/Debrief
Disagreement I understand.
- Feedback I disagree. I get/got it/the picture.
- Sequence of events That’s not really how I see it. I’m tracking (with you).
- Rationale/Justification I respect your opinion, but…. I’m following (you).
I don’t think we’re on the same page here.
Descriptions
Doubt (S)he looks/seems like ….
I have a hard time believing that. (S)he/It is ….
Are you really sure about that? (S)he resembles ….
Where did you get your information? (S)he/It appears to be….
I doubt it/that.
I don’t think so. Report an event
What happened was ….
Opinions/Facts/Beliefs/Ideas First, I saw ….
I think (that)…. Then, I heard ….
In my opinion, …. There was ….
If you ask me, ….
I believe (that)…. Instructions
It’s a fact (that)…. Here’s what you do.
Here’s how you do it.
Examples First, you ….
For example, …. Next/Then, ….
Some examples are …. After that, ….
….such as…. Finally, ….

9
 Expressing/Telling/Giving
Let me give you a couple of examples. Directions
To illustrate, …. First, go ….
It’s like when …. Turn/Take a right/left.
Go straight.
Advice/Suggestions Go past the ….
Have you thought about…? Take exit ….
Maybe you could…. Follow the signs (until…).
I suggest that you ….
My advice is …. Brief
Today I’m going to brief you on ….
Reasons In this briefing, we’ll cover ….
I did that because …. Are there any questions?
I came up with that from ….
Let me explain why. Debrief
I can give you my reasons. Ok, let’s look at what happened.
What can you tell me about what happened?
Permission First, I/we ….
Sure, go ahead. Next, I/we ….
No problem.
That’s a go. Feedback
Sure thing. Here’s some feedback.
Clarification Let me point out a few things.
Let me clarify my point. I have a few thoughts on ….
I think I need to clear up a couple of things here. Let’s take a look at how you ….
I’ll go over this again to clarify.
Sequence of events
Likes First/Initially, ….
I like …. Next, ….
My favorite …. Then, ….
The best (place, movie, food, etc.) is …. After that, ….
I really enjoy …. Subsequently, ….
That’s the best! Second, Third, Fourth, etc.

Rationale/Justification
My reason for doing that was ….
I can justify my decision (with/by).…

10
Expressing/Telling/Giving
I figured it out by ….
Let me explain why I’m doing it this way.

11
 Inquiring about/Asking for/Confirming
Headers Functions
- Directions I’m los Feedback
- Instructions Example Could you give me some feedback on …?
- Clarification/Permission Could you provide (some) examples? Would you mind giving me some feedback?
- Opinions What are (some) examples of that? I need a few pointers on this.
- Examples For example?
- Feedback Descriptions
- Descriptions Instructions What does (s)he/he/it look/sound/taste/feel like?
- Understanding How do you …? Can you describe that/him/her/them/it for me?
- Likes/Dislikes/Preferences What’s the process for ….? Can you give me a description?
- Rationale/Justification Can you tell me how to …?
- Repetition Tell me how to …. Understanding
- Verification Got that?
Clarification Are you following me?
Could you clarify that? Are you tracking (with me)?
Could you go over that one more time? Am I being clear?
What do you mean by that? Everything clear?
What does that mean? Ok, what are your questions?
I’m lost.
You lost me on that part. Likes
I’m (so) confused. What do you like?
What’s your favorite …?
Permission Which one do you like?
May I…? Which one’s better?
Can I…?
Is it OK if I….? Dislikes
You don’t like that?
Opinions That’s not good?
What do you think about it?
What’s your opinion? Preferences
What’s your take on it? Which do you prefer?
Do you have any thoughts about/on it? What’s your preference?
Do you care/mind if we …?

12
 Inquiring about/Asking for/Confirming
Rationale/Justification
How did you come up with that?
Where did you get that from?
What were your reasons for …?
You did that because?

Repetition
Please repeat that.
Can you say that again?
I didn’t catch that.
Run that by me again.
What?

Verification
If I understand you correctly, I should….
I wanted to verify that ….
Just so I understand, ….
Do you mean …?
So, what you’re saying is ….

13