Language Functions and Textual Properties for Effective Communication

Functions of Language

Language is always used with a specific purpose or function, such as to inform, ask, answer, or promise.

Representative or Referential Function

Focuses on the message content, i.e., the objective transmission of information.

Expressive Function

Dominates messages where the sender conveys emotions, feelings, or experiences.

Appellative or Conative Function

Appears in messages seeking the receiver's attention and a response. It's about what words do or make happen.

Metalinguistic Function

The important aspect is the code itself, i.e., language used to discuss language.

Phatic or Contact Function

Its purpose is to check that the communication channel is working correctly.

Poetic Function

Highlights the form of the message.

Text Adequacy and Consistency

Every text should be appropriate to the communicative situation and intent, and consistent in its approach to the ideas expressed. A text must fit the communication situation and communicative intent, and its ideas must be consistently interrelated.

Text Cohesion

Cohesion is the linguistic manifestation of coherence within a text. It can be lexical, semantic, and grammatical.

Lexical Cohesion

Involves the repetition of words or the use of derived words.

Semantic Cohesion

Achieved through:

• Synonyms
• Word families
• Hypernyms (e.g., 'animal' for 'hippo')

Grammatical Cohesion

Includes:

• Ellipsis
• Verb agreement
• Use of deictics
• Employment of articles
• Conjunctions (nexuses)

Text Types by Channel

Texts can be oral or written, depending on the channel used. Oral language is characterized by the importance of the situation, greater expressiveness, and sometimes a less rigid organization of information. The most common forms are dialogue and conversation. Written language is generally more elaborate than spoken language. When writing, one can plan and edit messages.

Text Types by Communicative Situation

The sender must adapt the language to the communicative situation, allowing for the use of colloquial or formal registers.

Text Types by Communicative Intention

For a text to be properly communicated, the receiver must understand the sender's intention. Examples include: Narrative, Descriptive, and Expository texts.

Textual Connectors

Textual connectors are words or phrases that link different statements or parts of a text.

Types of Textual Connectors

Different text types are dominated by specific connectors:

• Narrative texts: Dominated by temporal connectors.
• Descriptive texts: Dominated by spatial connectors.
• Argumentative texts: Feature logical connectors.
• Expository-explanatory texts: Also feature logical and explanatory connectors.
• Instructional texts: Dominated by connectors of order.

Some connectors can change in meaning depending on the situation or context in which they are used.