ta les a d use it to o t ol othe s. The egulato is the do as I tell ou fu tio of la guage.
5 Representational function: use language to explain something. It is the
one which is undoubtedly dominant in the adults use of language, and even more so in the adults image of what language , is one which does
not emerge in the life of the child until considerably after the others. We a also all i fo ati e fu tio o the I e got something to tell
ou fu tio . 6
Heuristic function: once the boundary between the child himself and his environment is beginning to be recognized, then the child can turn
towards the exploration of the environment; this is the heuristic function of
la guage, the tell e h fu tio that hi h late o develops into the whole range of questioning forms that the young
child uses. 7
Imaginative function: is the function of language whereby the child creates an environment of his own. As well as moving into, taking over
and exploring the universe which he finds around him. The child also uses language for creating a universe of his own. This we may call the
let s p ete d fu tio of la guage.
b. Fino hiaro’s on ept of language function.
According to Finocchiaro FinocchiaroBrumfit: 1983, there are 5 functions of language. They are:
1 Pe so al fu tio is la if i g o a a gi g o e s ideas. It o sists of:
a Expressing ones thoughts or feelings: love, pleasure, surprise, likes, dislikes, distress, anger, fear, sorrow; b Communicating moral,
intellectual, and social concerns; and c Expressing everyday feelings of hunger, fatigue, cold, or warmth.
2 Interpersonal function is enabling us to establish and maintain
desirable social and working relationships. It consists of: a Greetings and leave-taking; b Introducing people to others; c Extending
invitations - accepting invitations; d Refusing invitations politely or making alternative arrangements; e Apologizing; f Indicating
agreement - Indicating disagreement; g Interrupting another speaker politely: h Complimenting someone; and i Expressing gratitude -
Acknowledging gratitude. 3
Directive function is attempting to influence the actions of others accepting or refusing direction. It consists of: a Making requests; b
Making suggestions; c Refusing to accept a suggestion or a request but offering an alternative; d Persuading someone to change their
point of view; e Asking for help - Responding to a help; and f Giving instructions - Responding to instructions.
4 Referential function: talking or reporting about things actions events
or people in the environment in the past or in the future talking about language this is often termed the metalinguistic function. It consists of:
a Asking for a description of someone or something; b Defining something or a language item - Asking for a definition; c Requesting
facts about events or actions - Reporting facts; and d Evaluating the results of an action or an event.
5 Imaginative function: expanding ideas offered by others or by a
listening or reading passage. It consists of: a Creating rhymes poetry stories or plays; and b Solving problems or mysteries.
c. Ja ko son’s on ept of language function.
