Function
المؤلف:
Bronwen Martin and Felizitas Ringham
المصدر:
Dictionary of Semiotics
الجزء والصفحة:
P66
2025-06-01
572
Function
In linguistics and in semiotics, the term function has at least three applications: it is used in an instrumental and utilitarian sense; with syntactical meaning; and in a logico-mathematical sense.
1. For the linguist A. Martinet, the predominant function of language is to communicate. Language has a useful function as instrument in social interaction.
2. The term function in a syntactical context refers firstly to parts played by certain elements in a sentence (subject, object, predicate). The linguist E. Benveniste uses the concept function as a necessary element to define a structure in language (all its constituent parts fulfil a function). Jakobson, for his part, employs the term function to designate the six elements that make up the speech act (expressive, conative, referential, poetic, meta-lingual and phatic). Finally, Propp makes use of the term function to describe syntagmatic units in folk-tales which are common to all stories.
3. Hjelmslev defines the term in a logico-mathematical sense, considering function to designate 'the relation between two variables'. Semiotics reserves the term function for the definition of the relationship between two actants. This relationship is expressed in the verb of the elementary utterance. Any other narrative functions, subject or object for example, are simply named actants.
Semiotic function, according to Hjelmslev, designates the relationship in language between the form of expression and that of content.
See also actant, communication model, elementary utterance, Propp and syntax.
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