Unit 4: FUNCTIONS

A function is the reason why we communicate. I will represent into a chart some of the examples of functions we use to talk about:

Function	Definition	Example
Apologizing	To tell someone that you are sorry for having done something that has caused problems or unhappiness for them.	I'm sorry for my lateness.
Greeting	friendly words or actions used in welcome	Hello!
Clarifying	To make or become clear in meaning	Could you repeat that, please?
Inviting	To inviting a person to a place.	Would you like to come to my party?
Advising	To advise someone about something.	You should go home earlier.
Agreeing	To have the same opinion.	I agree with you.
Disagreeing	To hold different opinions.	We disagree about everything.
Refusing	Not accept or do something	I don’t want to eat vegetables.
Thanking	To express appreciation or gratitude to (someone) for a favor, service, gif.	I really appreciate your help.
Interrupting	To stop or make a break in something.	Did I interrupt something?
Expressing obligation	To show that something needs to be done as an obligation.	You must go to school.
Expressing preferences	To show that something is preferred than other things.	I prefer to do homework instead of going to the party.

The language we use to express a function is called an exponent. Here we have another chart in which is shown the use of the exponents.

Context	Exponent	Function
A boy wants to go to the cinema with his friend tonight. He says:	‘Let’s go to the cinema tonight.’	Suggesting/making a suggestion about going to the cinema.
A girl meets some people for the first time. She wants to get to know them. She says:	“Hello. My name’s Emilia.	Introducing you.

We could see that we used –ing forms of verbs like inviting, suggesting. Another feature are the levels of formality. Here the language can be formal and informal. Formal (more society, distant) informal (more socially casual) there are also neutral exponents that are used when we want to show neither great respect nor too much casualness. People usually choose the use of level of formality that suits in a situation. This is called appropriacy. Language that reflects the situation in which is used is called register. An example of register could be, hi! Which is informal and another could be, Good morning! This is formal.  As a function is the reason why we communicate I could make photocopies of a book based on functions in order to give my students real language related to it. This will help my students to develop a better understanding of the language based on functions. Another thing could be helpful for them to change the coursebook of what I’ll be teaching to them in that way my students are not going to be bored if the book is only about grammar.

For further information visit these links:

• Educ.ualberta.ca,. (2015). Functions of Language. Retrieved 19 April 2015, from http://www.educ.ualberta.ca/staff/olenka.bilash/best%20of%20bilash/functionsof%20lang.html
• Google Books,. (2015). An Introduction to the Nature and Functions of Language. Retrieved 19 April 2015, from https://books.google.com.ec/books?id=vN-4ijhzrLcC&printsec=frontcover&dq=functions+of+language&hl=es-419&sa=X&ei=fAA0VeaUOMH4ggTGhITwAQ&l =es-419&sa=X&ei=fAA0VeaUOMH4ggTGhITwAQ&ved=0CBsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=functions%20of%20language&f=false