by Paris Kaye

Created on: November 28, 2008   Last Updated: February 01, 2010

See What I Mean, Not What I Say?

Underlying Functionality of Everyday Language

"Do you know what I am saying?" "Do you understand?" These daunting questions confront all of us at least once on a daily basis. To please the bearer of that question or to salvage our self-image, we often respond "Yes!" or "of course!" even if we have no clue.

Webster's Unabridged Dictionary defines language as "a body of words and the system of their use common to a people who are of the same community or nation, the same geographical area, or the same cultural tradition."

Most language experts concur that language serves five functions: ceremonial, informative or declarative, expressive or exclamatory, interrogative and a directive or imperative. Errors in communication occur when we assume that usage equals function. Not understanding these subtleties leaves us open to manipulation. Therefore, we will examine these categories, and methods to safeguard or protect us from manipulation or miscommunication.

The ceremonial usage includes those everyday phrases, greetings and scripts that most people follow. "How are you doing?" is a phrase often paired with a greeting. By appearance, this phrase is a question. Functionally, it serves a ceremonial purpose. It is not that we do not care for the state of others, but the intent was mere cordiality.

We often forego this phrase when meeting those who offer a laundry list of ailments, or met with embarrassment when we respond "good" in anticipation of reciprocal cordiality that is never delivered.

The informative usage of language conveys information and/or data. Information does have a truth-value assigned to it. Information and data may be true or false, right or wrong, valid or invalid. Often times, informative language blended with expressive usage will serve the directive function.

Television advertisements and 24-hour news channels often utilize this method of persuasion. A spokesperson man stands in front of a backdrop of a late night police call with a family huddled under the safety and security of law enforcement officers. The spokesperson begins with crimes against property has risen "almost five percent" (perhaps 4.2%) which demonstrates informative usage. The spokesperson will state he or she is someone who loves and cares for family, which demonstrates expressive usage. In conclusion, that is why he or she contacted the ABC Alarm Company. This cleverly disguised informative statement is a directive, encouraging others to "call

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>