Language Functions and Linguistic Processes Explained

Language Functions

Language functions:

1. Emotional or Expressive Function: The message issuer emits references to their inner self, with factors related to the communication process and linguistic elements used in interjections and exclamatory sentences.
2. Referential or Representative Function: Focused on the context of communication, the topic or issue being referenced. Declarative or enunciative sentences are used, which can be affirmative or negative.
3. Conative Function: The receiver predominates over other factors in communication. Communication is centered on the person from whom an action or linguistic response is expected. Vocative, imperative, and interrogative sentences are used.
4. Phatic Function (Contact): Consists of starting, interrupting, continuing, or terminating communication.
5. Metalinguistic Function: Focuses on the code of the language itself.
6. Poetic or Aesthetic Function: Used in literature. The message itself is the focus, including its disposition and how it is transmitted, such as expressive resources like rhyme and alliteration.

Word Formation and Linguistic Terms

Words are classified by meaning and morphology:

• Dependent: Derivatives and inflexions.
• Independent

Processes of Word Formation

1. Composition: A new word is formed by combining two or more words (e.g., coasters).
2. Derivation: New words are created by adding a morpheme to a lexical base (e.g., flower → flowery).
3. Xasinthesis: A word formation process where a prefix and a suffix are added simultaneously to a lexical base (e.g., trap → entrap).
4. Acronymy: Words formed from the initial letters of other words (e.g., ONU, RNF).

Linguistic Borrowings

• Prestamos Lingüísticos: Words from other languages introduced into Castilian at different times (e.g., mayor, artichoke).
• Cultismos: Words incorporated into the language during its formation, retaining their original form (e.g., Optimum (Latin: optimus)).
• COBLETE: A Latin word given both a heritage and cultism origin.
• Neologisms: Words recently incorporated into the language, primarily to name new realities.
• CALCO LINGÜÍSTICO: When a foreign word is adopted with Castilian spelling and phonetics.
• XENISMOS: When a foreign word is used while maintaining its original spelling and phonetics.