MICRO AND MACRO FUNCTIONS OF LANGUAGE (M.A.K) - MULUWA CHRISPIN

 

SEVEN MICRO AND MACRO FUNCTIONS OF LANGUAGE 

There are many micro and macro functions of language which has been written by many different authors. Language is a medium of communication. It also served many other purposes, including education, entertainment, and personal expression. Language can be used to communicate with animals like birds or dolphins. However language is mostly spoken by human and occasionally written (e-mail). Therefore, in this academic piece of writing we are going to discuss the micro functions of language according to M.A.K Halliday.

 According to Halliday (1973), investigation into the functions of language has often figured in linguistic research; there are possible reasons for wanting to gain some insight it’s how language is used.

Halliday (1975), published seven functions of language that describe the way children use language. These functions are: instrumental, regulatory, interactional, personal, heuristic, imaginative, and representational. Halliday argued children can communicate before they can talk.

Instrumental function of language; we all use language in our everyday life. We use it to communicate with others, for work and study, and entertainment or personal expression. Instrumental function of a language is the main function because it serves a certain purpose within society. Most languages have other functions, too- they play an important role in fostering feelings of identity and belonging; they are also used to express emotions such as love or anger and may be used to pass down knowledge from one generation to another. This function of language is used to achieve a certain result, it accomplishes something either for the speaker or someone else, and this function helps us understand its purpose.

Example of instrumental function include; “I like.” “I need” giving the speaker satisfaction once his material need is being given and received by him/her.

Regulatory functions of language, these are just as important in the development of an individual as they are in maintaining proper physiological states. It is the function that controls the behavior of another person or other. This function does not dwell on the material things or the services rendered, rather the actor who carries out the issued command.  E.g. “Do the things; it needs to be finished.” “Leave that nonsense puzzle.”

Interactional function of language, this is the communicative use of language. When people communicate with each other, they have to put the ideas into words and sentences so that others can understand them. As a result, most language users rarely think about how they are using their own language for communication purposes or what purpose(s) their language serves as they interact in speech situations. This language establishes a social relationship.

Examples includes; having a conversation with friends or family members, giving presentations at the workplace, etc. “you and me”; “greeting.”

Personal function of language, this function is an important concept in linguistics. In the context of linguistics, personal function means information about people and their relationships. For example, we use pronouns such as “me” or “you” to identify a particular person who is being spoken to. Example includes, language that uses the “Here I come.”

Heuristic function of language, the term heuristic refers to how our brain organizes and processes information. Language is a complex system that employs several different communication media types, including spoken or written text, gestures, and expressions. The word “heuristics” comes from the Greek word for “search,” which indicates its purpose in our daily lives: as an instrument for learning about reality (i.e., comprehending it) and solving problems. The main reason humans use language is that it helps them solve problems and deal with specific situations.

Example of heuristic function of language include; “explain to me why” language. The speaker’s inquisitive mind is hungry to be quenched by explanation, truth, facts, figures, and information.

Imaginative function of language, this function is defined as the ability to represent mental images. It is a complex phenomenon, as it involves both linguistic and non-linguistic elements. This function is the ability to use words, sounds and grammatical forms to evoke pictures, images, or scenes in mind. The word “imaginative” is derived from the imagination, which means the power of forming mental images or concepts that are not actual objects but have an existence only in fancy. This function enables us to create imaginary worlds that help us understand abstract ideas by giving them concrete forms which we can see, hear and touch. 

Language’s imaginative function is one factor in the function of human speech, and it has been described as “the power to evoke images and sentences.” Imaginative function of language examples; “let’s allow our imagination to run wild” function of the language. Here, the speaker expresses one’s imaginative thoughts, fictional ideas, and make-believe notions out of the world stories.

Representational function of language, this function refers to the way that words can be used to refer to things, people and events. It is its ability to establish a connection between an object and that object’s name. This representation is manifested in many ways, such as through the use of pictures or diagrams. Representation is important because it allows us to form meaning from our experience by linking names with objects we have seen before (Chomsky). Name-referent connections are the basis for linguistic understanding and knowledge acquisition.

Examples include; “I’ll tell you.” “I know.” Conveying messages, telling about the real world, expressing a proposition.

Author: Muluwa Chrispin  - Zambia