AoS 1: The Nature and Functions of Language

Question 1

What are the six functions of language?

Answer 1

• Referential: facts, knowledge
• Emotive: express emotions, feelings
• Conative: persuade
• Phatic: maintain relations i.e. small talk
• Metalinguistic: use of language to talk about itself
• Poetic: creative purposes i.e. poetry

Question 2

Register

Answer 2

level of formality within a text (word choices)
- technical language of a domain (VIBE)

Question 3

Situational Context FiT MoST

Answer 3

Fi - Field
T - Tenor
Mo - Mode
S - Setting
T - Text type

Question 4

Field

Answer 4

topic area of text

Question 5

Tenor

Answer 5

relationship between participants & degree of social distance

Question 6

Mode

Answer 6

speech, writing

Question 7

Setting

Answer 7

time, place

Question 8

Text type

Answer 8

nature of discourse, form it takes

Question 9

Formal lexemes

Answer 9

low frequency, sophisticated, elevated

Question 10

Informal lexemes

Answer 10

non-standard lexemes

Question 11

Purpose

Answer 11

intended goal of a text

Question 12

Informal language

Answer 12

encouraging intimacy
supporting in group membership (belonging

Question 13

Formal language

Answer 13

• reinforcing social distance & authority,
• establishing expertise
• clarifying

Question 14

intent

Answer 14

from writer/speaker
- choose from a repertoire of lg to suit particular purpose

Question 15

preparedness

Answer 15

• written: planning/drafting
• spoken: planning/scripted

Question 16

Cultural context

Answer 16

-extralinguistic circumstances
e.g. australian slang