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.)