Fatic function

Content

• Linguistic resources of the phatic function
• Types of phatic forms
• Examples of phatic function sentences
• Language functions
  

The phatic function or relational function is the function of language that focuses on the communication channel, as it is used to start, end, prolong or interrupt a conversation. For example: Hello, do you hear me right?

The phatic function has practically no informative content since its objective is not to transmit information but to facilitate contact and then allow the transmission of messages.

It is also called "contact" or "relational" as it can initiate contact between speakers.

Linguistic resources of the phatic function

• Greetings. Greetings are used even when you are not trying to greet anyone. For example: Hello Hello… We use this expression when we are not listening well to check if they can hear us from the other side.
• Questions. Usually, questions in phatic function do not seek a literal answer. For example: Someone has a question? In this case we do not expect someone to say "yes" but to ask the question directly.
• Use of the second person. The second person is used in many cases because you are trying to establish communication with the other. For example: Do you hear me?

Types of phatic forms

• Forms of greeting. They start the conversation, they serve to confirm to the sender that the communication channel is open.
• Ways to interrupt and resume the conversation. They allow you to interrupt the conversation without ending it.
• Verification forms. They are used in a conversation to confirm that the communication channel is open and messages arrive.
• Ways of giving the floor. They are used to open the channel of communication with another person who was silent.
• Farewell forms. They end the conversation, announcing the closure of the communication channel.

Examples of phatic function sentences

1. Goodnight!
2. Good day!
3. Hi.
4. Do you listen me?
5. Goodbye.
6. Bye.
7. What do you think?
8. Hi?
9. Excuse me a second.
10. Good.
11. We will continue tomorrow.
12. They were?
13. It is understood.
14. AHA.
15. Now you can reply.
16. Talking about the subject….
17. As I was saying ...
18. Excuse me, I'll be back.
19. Listen!
20. I hear it.
21. Agree.
22. He copies me?
23. Sir, excuse me.
24. Anyone has any questions?
25. See you.
26. See you later.
27. Can I ask you a question?
28. Have a nice day.
29. I understand.
30. What was he telling me?

Language functions

Language functions represent the different purposes that are given to language during communication. Each of them is used with certain objectives and prioritizes a certain aspect of communication.

• Conative or appellative function. It consists of inciting or motivating the interlocutor to take an action. It is centered on the receiver.
• Referential function. It seeks to give a representation as objective as possible of reality, informing the interlocutor about certain facts, events or ideas. It is focused on the thematic context of communication.
• Expressive function. It is used to express feelings, emotions, physical states, sensations, etc. It is centered on the issuer.
• Poetic function. It seeks to modify the form of language to provoke an aesthetic effect, focusing on the message itself and how it is said. It is focused on the message.
• Phatic function. It is used to start a communication, to maintain it and to conclude it. It is centered on the canal.
• Metalinguistic function. It is used to talk about language. It's code-centric.