- What is the metalinguistic function of language?
- Examples of metalinguistic function
- Other language functions
We explain what the metalinguistic function of language is and various examples. In addition, the other functions of language.
What is the metalinguistic function of language?
The metalinguistic function is one of the six functions (or possibilities of use) of the language identified by the Russian linguist and phonologist Roman Jackobson (1896-1982) in his 1958 information theory. Language functions come off the communication factors (sender, receiver, message, code Y channel) traditionally identified, as well as from the previous works of the German linguist Karl Bühler (1879-1963).
The metalinguistic function, as its name indicates (the prefix goal- comes from the Greek "beyond" or "after"), it is the function of language that focuses on the language code, that is, on what we popularly call "language". It does so with the purpose of clarifying the message, that is, it explains the proper functioning of the language, coming to know that it is handled by both the sender and the receiver.
This allows the language to explain itself, ensure understanding of the message, and avoid misunderstandings. It even makes it possible to find equivalents between the different possible existing codes, something that translation is dedicated to, for example.
At the same time, it makes it possible to build “bridges” of equivalence towards other types of language, which is essential when learning a language, as occurs for example with sign language, or with traffic signs.
Examples of metalinguistic function
Examples of the metalinguistic function are:
- Literary translation, in which equivalents of meaning in another language are sought to a text written in its original language.
- Simultaneous interpreting, similar to the previous example, uses a person capable of speaking two different languages to instantly translate a speech or an address.
- The situations in which we use a dictionary to find out the meaning of a word.
- The different processes of learning and acquisition of a second language.
Other language functions
In addition to the metalinguistic function, there are, according to Roman Jackobson, 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, one that 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.
- Appellate function, one that allows the speaker to influence the receiver in a certain way, to request from him some type of action or behavior, or at least some type of response. Logically, it focuses on the receiver.
- 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.
- Poetic function, that which 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.