Speech Function

Speech Functions for Sociolinguistics
Conveying Information and Expressing Social Relationships



1.  Expressive  (express speaker's feelings--I feel great today.)
2.  Directive  (get others to do things--Clean up your room.)
3.  Referential (provide information--The apples are on the table.)
4.  Metalinguistic (comments on language--Nouns can be mass or count.)
5.  Poetic (aesthetic language--poems, mottos, rhymes--A stitch in time saves nine.)
6.  Phatic (language for solidarity and empathy--Yo, bro. Put 'er there.)