Quick Question

What is a language function?

A function is the purpose for saying or writing something. We don't produce language without having a reason.

Read this chapter carefully! (The function here is advising. My reason for writing the phrase“Read this chapter carefully” is to give you some advice.) Functions in English are phrases used to express a communicative purpose. There are many different functions; because when we write or speak, we have for many different communicative reasons.

The Bigger Picture

We can look at language in many different ways. Most teachers will be looking at language from a form-meaning-function perspective. Form is the mechanics or rules; meaning is the message that the speaker intends to convey; and function is the purpose(s) for which the language is being used and the contexts in which it is used.

There is no one-to-one match between form and function; we don't use one fixed structure to express one set function. If I want to agree with you (function = agreeing), I can choose from a variety of phrases (forms) to express my agreement.

The most common English functions would include the following:

apologising

greeting

clarifying

inviting

advising

agreeing

disagreeing

warning

thanking

reporting

Look at the function “inviting” as an example, all of the following express “making an invitation”, but the form is different for each:

Ø What are you doing next Friday? We're having some people over for a party. Would you like to join us?

Ø Have you got anything on next Friday? A few of us are going to have a party at mine if you'd like to come .

Ø Are you free next Friday? There's a party at mine, wanna come ?

Ø Would you be interested in coming to my party next Friday?

Ø How do you fancy coming to my party next Friday?

Ø Why don't you come to my party next Friday?

On the other hand, one particular structure or form may have a number of different functions: (e.g. can )

Ø I can speak Russian. (expressing ability)

Ø Can I speak Russian in the meeting? (asking for permission)

Ø Can you speak some Russian for me? (making a request)

The relationship between form and function often requires an understanding of the context(situation) if we want to give a particular function to a structure:

Without knowing the context, the question “Would you stop drinking?” could either mean the order or command “I am telling you to stop drinking!” or the conditional question form “If you were on a diet, would you stop drinking?” depending on the situation.

An exponent is the language we use to express the function. For example, when I want to introduce my friend (Peter) to another friend of mine (Susan), I can say “Hi, Susan, this is Peter ...”.“This is ...” is the functional exponent, and introducing people is the function.

Different exponents can express different levels of formality but perform the same main function. As in the examples:

Ø Give me the salt!

Ø Can you pass me the salt?

Ø Would you mind passing me the salt?

Ø I wonder if you could pass me the salt please.

Key Vocabulary

appropriate 恰当的

ask for clarification 要求解释说明

enquire 问询

formal 正式的

function 功能

grammatical structure 语法结构

inappropriate 不恰当的

informal 非正式的

level of formality 正式程度

negotiate 协商

neutral 中性的

predict 预测

speculate 猜测

Tricky Terms and Concepts

Functional syllabus is a way of teaching which grew in popularity with the rise of the communicative approach.

Functional-notional syllabus is a course where the content is arranged by functions /communicative purposes (e.g. agreeing , disagreeing , requesting ) or by notions / conceptual meanings(e.g. time , direction , expressing frequency , size ).

appropriacy VS appropriate

Appropriacy (n.) refers to how suitable a word is for a situation. If the word is suitable for a certain social situation, we say that word is appropriate (adj.). When we use language in a certain context or situation, we are aware of who we are talking to, our relationship to this person and the appropriacy of our language. If I am talking to my best friend, asking “Can you make me a cup of coffee?” is appropriate, but asking “I would appreciate it if you make me a cup of coffee.” is probably inappropriate for this situation (because it's too formal considering our relationship or the context).

predict VS speculate

These two functions are very similar, but there are subtle differences. When we predict something, we are forecasting the future based on our existing knowledge, while speculating is more like guessing, without relying on knowledge or evidence. Predicting always happens before the event, but speculating can occur before or after the event. So you might predict a football match result (before the match starts), but you could speculate on why one team played badly (after the match).

In Your Class

If your teaching is very grammar or vocabulary focused, your learners might not be getting opportunities to learn language functions.

If you are using a communicative approach course book, much of the content will be focused on teaching functions and their exponents..

Try It Out

Before you teach your next class: Think about whether functions are relevant to the content of the lesson, and if so, is it a good idea to highlight functions to your learners?

While you're teaching your next class: Try to highlight any functions that appear in the language content of the lesson and ask your learners to suggest alternative exponents.

After your next class: Reflect on whether there were moments when it might have been a good idea to practise functional language that appeared in the lesson by creating situational dialogues.

What You Might Be Tested On

TKT questions might ask you to:

» Look at highlighted expressions in a dialogue and match these with listed functions.

» Match an exponent with its main function.

Find Out What You Know

Match the exponent examples with the functions listed A～D. You will need to use some of the options more than once.

Functions:

A. apologising

B. expressing sympathy

C. clarifying

D. suggesting

Exponent examples:

1. I'm sorry to hear that. I totally understand how you feel.

2. Media includes newspaper, television, radio and the internet.

3. The painter is famous for landscapes, especially ocean scenes with cloudy skies.

4. I feel really bad about losing your bike.

5. What about your teacher? I suppose you can ask her for help.

6. You have to write the whole assignment tonight? I feel sorry for you.

Key: 1. B 2. C 3. C 4. A 5. D 6. B

Inspiration

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