Language is a harmonious system of signs in which sound, spelling, and semantic content are related.
The study of language itself is a science that is called linguistics or linguistics. Characteristics of signs is studied by semiotics. How language structure affects thinking, establishes psycholinguistics.
The language of any community is a very heterogeneous, extremely complex, multifunctional phenomenon. Everyone has heard about the communicative function of the language, but apart from it there is a long series of other purposes. Let's try to consider them.
- Communicative function implies that language is necessary for communication, information transfer.
- The thought-forming (mental, cognitive) function is intimately connected with communication. It is the communicative purpose that underlies the mental function of the language, determines it. A very accurate example of the cognitive role of language is given by B. Norman in his work. He quotes a phrase from a little girl who says she doesn’t know what she’s thinking about until she says it out loud.
- An accumulative or cognitive function helps to accumulate knowledge, and then pass it on to other people and generations. Many people have never been to the moon, but thanks to the knowledge of people who have been there, we are well aware of the lunar landscapes, and the features of movement in this place.
In addition, the cognitive function forms the inner world of a person, helps to create and assimilate concepts that are formed as a result of his practical activity.
- The nominative function can also be called "a person’s faith in names." This means that when we hear the word “table”, we will imagine different objects. However, all of them will have significant features, which will make it possible to attribute the item to the category “table”, not “cabinet” or any other. This ability to isolate the general and name objects is closely related to cognitive function.
- The emotionally expressive purpose of the language allows you to convey your emotions with the help of words. This ability is called the "emotive function of the language." Her goal is the implementation of emotional communication of people. Compare the coloring of the words meaning “big”: huge, healthy, gigantic. This function uses special semantics, separate interjections that can convey momentary emotions.
- The phatic function of the language is very important. It is inextricably linked with its regulatory function aimed at creating, developing and regulating relations in micro-collectives. Using the phatic function, the interlocutor establishes contact, draws attention to himself, and then, using the regulatory function, continues contact. Next to them is a conative function, with the help of which the language is oriented to the addressee.
- Using the voluntary function of a language, one person can act on another.
- The ideological function helps with the help of language as a system to influence ideology. For example, the Irish language is not used for communication, but to maintain its statehood, acting as a symbol.
- Using a metalanguage function, language as a system and phenomenon is analyzed by the means of the language itself.
- Using a representative function, people convey information.
- The sphere of creativity allows you to realize the aesthetic orientation of the language.
- Axiological function means that with the help of language a person is able to create value judgments, to separate the concepts of “bad” and “good”.
- The reference function of language means that it is a means of accumulating human experience
- The omadative function helps create reality and control it.
All functions of the language are interconnected and intertwined, interdependent and inextricable.