Social interaction

The Functions of Language

The question ‘Why do we use language? ' hardly seems to need an answer. But our everyday familiarity with speech and writing can make it difficult to realise how complex the skills are that we have learned. This is particularly so when we try to define the range of functions to which language can be put.

‘To communicate our ideas’ is the answer that most of us would give to the question - and, indeed, this must surely be the most widely recognized function of language. Whenever we tell people about ourselves or our circumstances, or ask for information about other people and their circumstances, we are using language in order to exchange facts and opinions. It is the kind of language which is found in any spoken or written interaction where people wish to learn from each other. But it would be wrong to think of it as the only way in which we use language. There are several other functions where the communication of ideas is irrelevant.

Emotional expression

Mr X carefully leans his walking stick against a wall, but it falls over. He tries again, and it falls a second time. He shouts at the walking stick. How should we classify this function of language? It cannot be ‘communication of ideas’, for there is no one else in the room.

Here we have one of the commonest uses of language - a means of getting rid of our nervous energy when we are under stress. This type of language can be used whether or not we are alone. Swear words are probably the commonest signals to be used in this way, especially when we are angry. But there are also many words that we use to express positive feelings, such as affection, or a reaction to beautiful art or scenery.

The most common linguistic expressions of emotion consist of conventional words or phrases (such as ‘Gosh’, ‘My’) and the semi-linguistic noises often called interjections (such as ‘Wow’ and ‘Ouch’).

Social interaction

Mrs P sneezes violently. Mrs Q says, ‘Bless you! ’ Mrs P says, ‘Thank you.' Again, this hardly seems to be a case of language being used to communicate ideas, but rather to maintain a comfortable relationship between people. No factual content is involved. Similarly, the use of such phrases as ‘Good morning’ or ‘Pleased to meet you', and conventional exchanges about health or the weather, do not ‘communicate ideas’ in the usual sense.

Phrases of this type often state the obvious (e.g. ‘It’s a lovely day’) or have no content at all (e.g. ‘Hello’). They are used to maintain a friendly relationship between people, arising out of the basic human need to signal such an attitude. If someone does not say these sentences when they are expected to, their absence may be interpreted as a sign of distance or even danger.

These illustrations apply to English and to many European languages. But cultures vary greatly in the topics which they permit in this type of social interaction. The weather is not as universal a conversation-filler as English people might like to think! Other topics are used to serve the same purpose, and some cultures avoid this type of language and prefer silence.