The Concept of Phatic Communion as Phatic Communication

Figure 2.2 Theoretical Framework of Phatic Communication Jumanto, 2014:9 Figure 2.2 gives details about the functions of language and phatic talk, and the experts who concern with language in use. As explained, Malinowski has proposed phatic communion. He believes that phatic communion is not used to exchange ideas, but it aims for creating social bonds in a society Malinowski, 1923:316. Bϋhler 1934:460-461 mentions three functions of language: expressive, appellative, and representative. Expressive function shows that language is as a tendency used to express feelings. Appellative function shows a signal leading to a feeling and a behavior of a speaker. Representative function shows that language is a sign used to talk about an object and a situation. In addition, Jakobson 1960:357 gives six functions of language, namely emotive, conative, referential, phatic, metalingual, and poetic. Emotive function emphasizes on addressers senders or speakers and it describes an expression of speakers’ behavior towards the topic discussed. Conative function deals with addressees receivers or listeners. Referential function refers to context. Phatic function emphasizes on contact between addressers and addressees. Metalingual function focuses on code used by addresser and addressee. Poetic function emphasizes on a delivered message. Figure 2.2 shows that phatic is the focus of several linguists and it has a number of functions. In this point, Jumanto 2014:9 draws conclusions on phatic functions in which each function serves various communicative functions of phatic communication. The functions of phatic communication are avoiding the silence, starting a conversation or opening a contact, making chit-chat, making gossip, keeping talking, expressing solidarity, creating harmony, creating comfort, expressing empathy, expressing friendship, expressing respect, and expressing politeness. Besides, the functions of phatic communication have several communicative functions. The communicative functions of phatic communication are greeting, parting, mentioning names or titles, commenting on something obvious, interrupting, apologizing to open conversation, avoiding silence when talking, changing topic of conversation, expressing listening noises, agreeing on something, apologizing, expressing wishes, congratulating, thanking, giving compliments, criticizing indirectly, saying bad words, mocking, joking, pacifying, encouraging, and sympathizing Jumanto, 2014:11-13. The functions and communicative functions of phatic communication are as follows.

a. Avoiding the Silence, Breaking the Silence, or Saying Something

Obligatory This function happens when the situation is starting to be silent in conversation. Malinowski 1923:314 explains that avoiding silence is the main goal engaging in phatic talk. Moreover, avoiding silence is also used to prevent awkward or uncomfortable moment and communication breakdowns Coupland, 2000:111. It is explained that being silent is impolite since it can be considered as haughty Fine, 2005:18. Therefore, people need to use any expressions or gestures to break the silence. The communicative functions in avoiding silence are greeting, parting, mentioning names or titles, and commenting on something obvious.

b. Starting a Conversation or Opening a Contact

Starting a conversation is quite easy for some people. In this case, Fine 2005:29 argues that starting a conversation is exactly not quite hard since people only need to choose a partner to talk. Giving smile and saying a few words can also become a way to start a conversation. People can open a contact in simple ways. They can apply several communicative functions in interaction. They are greeting, parting, mentioning names or titles, commenting on something obvious, interrupting, and apologizing to open conversation.

c. Making Chit-Chat or a Relatively Unfocused Conversation

This function is to create conversation freely. Coupland 2000:1 states that chit-chat or small talk includes gossiping, chatting, and having time-out talk. It is space-filling talk as a basic communication requirement Coupland, 2000:2. In addition, conversation has many topics to discuss and becomes unfocused conversation. Verschueren 1998:23 argues that phatic communion is precisely to sustain a relatively unfocused conversation. To make chit-chat or unfocused conversation, three stages are needed to be considered. Those stages are opening, middle or content, and closing Schneider and Barron, 2008:102. First, opening stage is to start making chit-chat or greet someone. Second, middle stage includes topics or contents of chit-chat containing uncontroversial topics Schneider and Baron, 2008:99, such as family, holiday, PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI