Functional Basis of Language

Functional theory and functional linguistics

Sounds fancy, but what does functional linguistics mean and how does it relate to the functional theory of the English language?

Another term used to describe functional linguistics is the 'functional basis of language', so you'll see both of these terms in this article.

Without any further ado, let's get stuck in and learn some more about the functional basis of language!

The functional basis of language from structure to functions

At the very foundation of functional linguistics, there is the belief that language is inseparable from social functions. This means that, from the ground up, language is used to get things done in social situations.

Language acquisition and functional linguistics

The functional theory (or approach) begins right from language acquisition. There are several key schools of thought when it comes to language acquisition, and you might be familiar with these through your study of other language topics. The key approaches alongside functionalist theory include:

• The Nativist Approach: language learning is innate and children are born with a basic understanding of language.

• The Cognitive Approach: language learning correlates with cognitive development.

• The Behavioural Approach: language learning is strongly linked with our environment and conditioning.

• The Interactionist Approach: language learning is dependent on social interaction and the Language Acquisition Support System.

The concept of the functional basis of language is that language acquisition is based on mastering social functions rather than mastering grammatical structures and specific linguistic features.

In other words, the belief in functionalist linguistics is that we learn language so that we can execute social functions, such as forming relationships and ensuring our basic needs are met (among other things).

Based on the functionalist approach, new elements of language such as pragmatic structures, grammar, and vocabulary should all be placed on the same level of importance. This is because each of these linguistic structures helps us to master social functions.

We keep talking about these 'social functions' but what exactly are they?

The three basic functions of language

In the functionalist approach to language, there are a few specific functions that language can be used to carry out. In this section, we'll look at the three main ones:

• Informative

• Expressive

• Directive

Informative language function

Informative language is used to give more details about events or facts, or to share information with others. For example, informative language is used by teachers in schools to educate students, and by reporters and newscasters on tv to share the news with an audience. We can also use the informative language function on a daily basis to tell people where we're going, what we're doing, or about things going on in our lives.

Fig 2. The informative language function refers to the communication of information.

Expressive language function

Expressive language can be positive (such as expressing happiness or excitement) or negative (such as expressing sadness or anger), and can be used to create deeper connections with other people in social situations (sharing your beliefs and opinions is a good way to let people know more about you and therefore become closer to you).

Directive language function

Directive language can be used to give commands (e.g. “Pick up that piece of litter."), to instruct someone to do something (e.g. "Place your left foot on the clutch and push it all the way in when you want to change gears."), or to make a request (e.g. "Please wash your dishes before you go to bed."). The directive language function is essentially based on getting things done.

Example of the functional view of language

The most prominent linguist associated with the functional theory of the English language is Michael Halliday, a British linguist who pioneered the systemic functional linguistics model of language. Let's explore the functions of language as proposed by Halliday.

Halliday expanded upon the three basic functions of language we looked at earlier (informative, expressive. directive) and came up with a total of seven, commonly referred to as Halliday's functions of language.¹

These are:

• Instrumental - used to express the needs of the speaker. For example, “I'm getting hungry”.

• Regulatory - used to tell other people what to do. For example, "Take the dog for a walk".

• Interactional - used to form social relationships. For example, "Thank you for helping me with my homework".

• Personal - used to express opinions and feelings. For example, "I can't stand country music."

• Heuristic - used to ask questions. For example, "Why is the sky blue?"

• Imaginative - used to express creative language. For example, stories and jokes, "Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side."

• Representational - used to communicate information. For example, "I ate the food in the fridge".

Systemic functional linguistics

Let's reconsider our definition of functional linguistics from earlier on in this article:

It is not a big jump to then understanding what Halliday meant by 'systemic functional linguistics'. The basis is the same idea but to elaborate, Halliday said that systemic functional linguistics:

• opposes the traditional idea that language is a set of rules for specifying grammatical structures, and instead supports the idea that language is a resource for conveying meaning.

• sees grammar as a tool to facilitate more effective communication of meaning, rather than strict rules that must be learned and followed.

• focuses on the whole system and purpose of grammar rather than simply its individual fragments (hence the 'systemic' part of 'systemic functional linguistics').

• looks at clauses rather than sentences as units of analysis. There are three distinct semantic structures that can be combined in a clause to create meaning.¹

These three semantic structures are:

• the interpersonal meta-function: focusing on the interaction between the speaker and addressee and the speech and social roles instrumental in building and maintaining social relationships.

• the ideational meta-function: concerned with the grammatical resources we use to construct and express our experience of the world.

• the textual meta-function: creating text that effectively presents interpersonal and ideational meanings to be shared between speakers and addressees.¹

Fig 3. Systematic functional linguistics views grammar as a tool to facilitate communication.

Structuralism and functionalism in linguistics

To recap:

Another term to be aware of in the topic of the functional basis of language is structuralism.

How does this relate to the functional basis of language?

The two concepts are not that far apart if you compare them. At its core, the functional approach to linguistics is concerned with how people use language to execute different social functions. The basis of structuralism is that the elements of language are made important due to their use in social interactions.

When we intertwine the two concepts, we can see that structuralism plays a significant role in functional linguistics. By using different types of language and different language structures (such as different elements of grammar, and different vocabulary words) to carry out the different functions of language, we give these elements importance and value.

^1. M. Halliday. An Introduction to Functional Grammar. (1985)