Selasa, 26 Desember 2017
1. definition of language
Language is a set of
symbols being used mainly for communication. The symbols may be spoken or
written. Language is an aspect of human behavior. In written form it is a long
term record of knowledge from one generation to the next while in spoken form
it is a means of communication. Language is the key aspect of human
intelligence.
·
It is a means of
communication
·
It is arbitrary
·
It is a system
of systems
·
It is primarily
vocal
·
It differs from
animal communication in several
·
It is a from of
social behavior
·
It is a symbol
system
·
Productivity
2.function of language
Actually, Geoffery Leech( 1974 ). Mentioned that language has five
functions. They are:
1. Informational
2. Expressive
3. Directive
4. Aesthetic
5. Phatic
I am going to discuss every function.
"Informational function which every one tends to assume is most
important" Geoffery Leech( 1974 ). In fact, this function concentrates on
the message. It is used to give new information. It depends on truth and value.
Let us look at this example, the car is big, the bus is crowded.
" language can have an expressive function: that is, it can be used to
express its originator's feelings and attitudes - swear words and exclamations
are the most obvious instance of this". Geoffery Leech( 1974 ). The
speaker or writer of this function tries to express his feelings. He or she
reflexes his or her impression. This function could give a clear image for the
personality of the speaker or writer. The best example of this kind is Poetry
and literature . In fact, this function evoke certain feelings and express
feelings. Examples of this kind are, I am very happy or I spent a wonderful
vacation. We can see from the previous examples that they reflex the feelings
of the speaker or the writer.
"The third function of language is the directive function whereby we
aim to influence the behavior or attitudes of others. The most straightforward
instances of the directive function are commands and requests. This function of
social control places emphasis on the receiver's end, rather than the
originator's end of the message: but it resembles the expressive function in
giving less importance, on the whole, to conceptual meaning than to other types
of meaning, particularly affective and connotative meaning" Geoffery
Leech( 1974 ).
Examples of this kind are, I want a cup of tea or close the door. It is
clear hear that, we use the language in a direct way. We ask someone to do
something. Some times we can use a sentence to express two functions. For
example, I am thirsty. The previous example could be used to show the condition
of the speaker or writer or to express the feeling. In a way that a person asks
someone to give him water.
The fourth function is the aesthetic
function, which is " the use of language for the sake of the linguistic
artifact itself, and for no purpose. This aesthetic function can have at least
as much to do with conceptual as with affective meaning" Geoffery Leech(
1974 ). " The function associated with the message-the vehicle-is the
poetic or aesthetic function: the sign taken as an end in itself. All art
understood as art is taken to embody this function, and any object valued for
its beauty rather than for its ideological value or usefulness-whether a
gorgeous car, an elegant teapot, or some acreage of untouched real estate-takes
on this function. Although Jakobson, perhaps more precisely than anyone who
preceded him, showed how the aesthetic function could hinge on structure, he
argues that cultural norms ultimately determine the dominance of this function.
As a striking demonstration, he notes that the aesthetic status that one
generation accorded only to the poems of Karel Mácha, a subsequent generation
accords only to his diaries. Jakobson, R. (1933)".
According to Leech, the fifth function is the phatic function. " the
function of keeping communication lines open, and keeping social relationships
in good repair ( in Britain culture, talking about the weather is a well-known
example of this)". Geoffery Leech( 1974 ). We can say about this function
that it is used for normal talks. An example of this, when two people meet each
other accidently in a place. They start talking about something unimportant for
the sake of communication like, how are you? How is your children? And so on.
We can say that it is a kind of daily talking. It is not meaning but is good.
Actually has another classification from what we have discussed. H. Douglas
Brown has classified function of language into seven types. "This
classification is not much different from that of Leech. The functional
approach to describing language is one that has its roots in the traditions of
British linguists J,R Firth, who reviewed language as interactive and
interpersonal, away of behaving and making others behave" Berns, ( 1984).
exercise :
1. what are characteristics of language ? (15)
2. what is function of language and explain ! (25)
3. what is abritrary means in charactheristics of language ? ( 20 )
4. what are seven types classified of language based on H. Douglas Brown ? (20)
5. what is affective and connotative meaning based on Geoffery Leech( 1974 ) ? (20)
1. what are characteristics of language ? (15)
2. what is function of language and explain ! (25)
3. what is abritrary means in charactheristics of language ? ( 20 )
4. what are seven types classified of language based on H. Douglas Brown ? (20)
5. what is affective and connotative meaning based on Geoffery Leech( 1974 ) ? (20)
Langganan:
Posting Komentar (Atom)
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar