We explain what the appellative function of language is, its use and various examples. In addition, the other functions of language.
What is the appellative function of language?
The appellate function is one of the six functions (or possibilities of use) of the language identified by the Russian linguist and phonologist Roman Jakobson (1896-1982) in his 1958 information theory. Language functions they come off the traditional communication factors (sender, receiver, message, code Y channel), and expanded the previous works of the German linguist Karl Bühler (1879-1963).
The appellate function or conative function is one that aspires to influence the behavior of the receiver, taking it as the communicative factor of greatest interest in their actions. That is to say, it focuses on the receiver because it wants to transmit an order, a suggestion, an alert or a request of some kind, and expects a response from the receiver, a conduct or some type of return from the recipient.
For this reason, the appeal function is generally expressed through prayers exhortative or imperative, although it can perfectly do so through more subtle and discreet interrogations or formulations. That is, it operates both in a "Shut your mouth!" as in a "Can you let me tell you something first?" or "I'd rather you didn't interrupt me."
Examples of appellate function
They are cases of appellative use of the language:
- When we ask for an object: "pass me the salt, please" or "would you give me your number?"
- When we give specific instructions: "Don't press that button!" or "Go buy lunch for everyone."
- When we kindly request something: "Could you accompany me to the doctor?" or "I wish you would shave more often."
- When we give warnings: "Watch out for that bike!" or "Run!"
Other language functions
In addition to the appellative function, according to Roman Jakobson, there are the following functions of language:
- Referential function, that which allows language to allude to objects of the reality, describe situations and express objective, concrete, verifiable contents of the world. It focuses on the message and the communicative situation.
- Emotional function, that which allows the speaker to communicate a subjective reality, of an emotional or interior type, such as a feeling, a perception, etc. To do this, obviously, it focuses on the issuer itself.
- Phatic function, one that allows those involved in the communicative act to verify that the communication channel is open, available and viable to initiate the exchange of information. It is the first thing we do when answering a phone, for example. Therefore, it focuses on the communication channel.
- Metalinguistic function, the one that allows the language to explain itself, that is, find equivalents from one language to another, or clarify terms that the receiver does not know, or even convert elements from one language to another. It focuses on the code of communication.
- Poetic function, one that enables language to generate aesthetic effects, that is, to draw attention to its own form and to the way the message is said, rather than the message itself. In that sense, it focuses on both the code and the message, and the most common example of this is found in literary texts.