UNIT 4 - FUNCTIONS

UNIT 4 – FUNCTIONS

What is a function? Spratt, M., Pulverness, A., and Williams, M. (2011), says that a function is a purpose why people communicate. Cambridge University  (2019), mentions that a function is a way that something works or operates.

There are several kinds of functions, according to Leech (1974). There are the informational functions, the expressive functional, the directive function of language, the aesthetic function and the phatic function. Some examples of functions are greetings, clarifying, interrupting, agreeing, among others. Besides, the exponent is part of the functions and it is the language we apply to express a function. The exponent can express different functions at the same moment and it depends on the context the functions are used in. An exponent can be shown in different functions because its functions rely on the context. The exponents also show different levels of formality. Formal, informal and neutral language is part of the levels of formality. Heaton (2018), says that formal language is used for writing with professional and interpersonal. Complete sentences are used in formal language. Informal language is used with friends or close people. This may include colloquialisms. Neutral language is used between formal and informal language.

In conclusion, I understood that functions are the purpose of why people communicate in a particular context with the use of exponents. In addition, I realized the exponents express the different levels of formality such as formal, informal and neutral language.

Teachers can apply functions with the students putting in practice many activities like:

-          The teacher can bring a dialogue to the class and read it out loud. Then the teacher divides the dialogue. The teacher talks about the intention of the speaker, that is, they talk about the function of the language in that dialogue. Then, the teacher asks the students to make sentences where they practice the function of there in the dialogue. Finally, the teacher asks students to create a role play where the dialogue function is practiced.

-          Another way to teach language functions is to teach grammar inductively or deductively and speaking of the language function that will be practiced in that grammar. For example, the teacher in teaching the present simple he or she should emphasize that this tense is used to talk about habits.

References

Heaton, S. (2018). WordPress. Retrieved from https://drsaraheaton.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/language-register.pdf

Leech, G. (1974). Retrieved from https://paper-due-now.com/essay-language-five-functions-language/

Press, C. U. (2019). Cambridge dictionary. Obtenido de https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/function

Spratt, M., Pulverness, A., & Williams, M. (2011). The TKT Course Modules 1, 2 and 3 (Second). . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.