【文章內(nèi)容簡介】 other countries, and expansion of international trade, there has been an increase in intercultural munication across national and ethnic borders. ? (Discuss the exercises at the back of this part on P. 13.) The Functions of Language (~20) ? The term munication can be used to cover most of the function of language. But the function of language is varied, in terms of using the language to chat, to think, to buy and sell, to read and write, to greet people, etc. ? Language functions in our society as a principal means of munication. It also functions as social control. It is not only a psychological phenomenon, but also a social fact. ? Language is not a selfcontained system, but entirely dependent on the society in which it is used. We must study meaning with reference to an analysis of the functions of language in any given culture. Malinowski distinguishes three major functions of language: ? the pragmatic （ 語用的 ， 務(wù)實的 ） function: language as a form of action。 ? the magical function: language as a means of control over environment。 ? the phatic( 寒暄的 ， 社交的 ) function ：language as a means to help establish and maintain social relations. ? We can categorize the functions of language into general functions and metafunctions (元功能 ， 純理功能 ). General functions refer to the particular individual uses of language while metafunctions refer to the larger, more general purposes underlying language use. General Functions of Language ? Language enables humans to do many things, thus serving different functions in the society. ? Finch lists the following 7 general functions of language: Physiological Function (生理功能－發(fā)泄 、 釋放情緒 ) ? Language can help get rid of nervous or physical energy. This function is also known as the emotive or expressive function of language. ? There are many emotive utterances in our daily life which serve no municative purpose but allow us to release inner feelings (. Shoot! 快呀 ！踢呀 ！ ). ? A great deal of what we say when angry is simply to relieve our physical and nervous energy caused by emotional distress (. ―bad language‖, swear words, obscenities, and taboos). Phatic Function (寒暄功能 ， 社交功能 ) ? Language can serve the function of creating or maintaining social relationship between speakers. ?We often use language simply to express our willingness to be sociable. No factual content is involved (Different ways of greetings in different countries). They are just conversationfillers. ? In this sense, language can act as a form of social bonding that links people together. Failure to observe these social courtesies can cause considerable embarrassment and even bad feelings. ? Cultures vary greatly in the topics which they permit as phatic munication (. Lovely day, isn‘t it? 吃過了嗎 ？ ) ? The phatic use of language is mainly spoken but there are some written equivalents (. Dear Sir/Madam, Yours faithfully) . Recording Function (記錄功能－不受時空限制性 ) ? Language allows us to record things we wish to remember. It might be a shortterm shopping list or a longterm diary or history of some kind. ? This function of language is represented by all kinds of recordkeeping, such as historical records, geographical surveys, business accounts, and data banks. ? Without language, it would be impossible for us to trace the history of humans and modern mercial life would be impossible. ? This function is the most important function behind the development of language from being an oral medium to being a written one. Identifying Function (識別功能－－語言的任 意性 ) ? Language also allows us to identify, with considerable precise, an enormous array of objects and events. ? Without language, it would be very difficult to make sense of the world around us. Because we know the names of things, we can refer to them quickly and accurately in good order. ? Names are made up and essentially arbitrary. To call a table a chair would not change the reality of the thing. ? Words do not exist in isolation but are part of the social work. Reasoning Function (論證 、 推理功能 ) ? Much of our thinking is done with words or, to be more exact, in words. So, language is monly regarded as a tool of thoughts. ? When we have ideas forming in our minds, we need to find the appropriate words to express these ideas. ? Our ideas are coded in language. Although the relationship between language and the mind is plicated, speaking and writing are forms of thoughts. This is why most people feel that they have not really understood something until they have been able to express it in language. (How about ―只能意會 ， 不能言傳 ” ？ ) ? A problem is that the meaning of many words are not stable and as a consequence it is difficult to think with any precision. Words mean different things to different people and may have different connotations （ . Monday morning, 十三點 ， 二百五 ） . ? In recent years, however, a number of studies have shown that not everything in our mental life depends on language. Communicating Function (交際功能 ) ? As we have seen in the previous section, language is a means of municating ideas and facts. ? In human society, people need to understand and be understood, to have their feelings and ideas recognized and acknowledged. ? We use language to express ourselves to others. We also need language in order to understand what others are municating to us. ? We use language for requesting, ordering, promising, asking for permission, and so on (. All the Dialogue 2. parts in A New English Course—functional English). ? All human achievements are closely relat