Linguistic functions

Question 1

representational

Answer 1

Describes things, states of affairs, and events. Statements can be judged as true or false.

Question 2

persuasive

Answer 2

Attempts to influence thoughts, beliefs, decisions, and attitudes.

Question 3

instrumental/performative

Answer 3

Language is used to perform actions(e.g., making a promise, declaring a marriage, giving orders). It can change reality through formal or ceremonial language.

Question 4

regulating

Answer 4

Language influences or controls behavior (physical, linguistic, or non-linguistic).

Question 5

conceptual/denotative

Answer 5

Formsmental representationsof objects and ideas, allowing us to refer to and think about them.

Question 6

metalinguistic

Answer 6

Language is used to refer to and talk aboutitself(e.g., discussing grammar, defining words).

Question 7

social/phatic

Answer 7

Establishes, confirms, or severssocial relationships(e.g., greetings, small talk).

Question 8

expressive/emotive

Answer 8

Expresses emotions, feelings, and sensations, or attempts to influence another person’s emotions.

Question 9

aesthetic

Answer 9

Createslinguistic beauty, producing expressions that are pleasing, thought-provoking, or artistically significant (e.g., poetry, literature).

Question 10

ludic/playful

Answer 10

Engages inlanguage gamesfor amusement (e.g., puns, wordplay, riddles).

Question 11

identifying/personative

Answer 11

Expressesidentity(e.g., geographic origin, social group, ethnicity, age, gender, education level, occupation, beliefs).

Question 12

questioning

Answer 12

Elicits information throughquestions.