Basic Speech Functions

An extremely high ability for thinking distinguishes man from other highly organized animals. But it would be much weaker, do not have a man yet and a powerful addition to it - speech. The meaning of speech for the development of thinking was singled out by many physiologists and psychologists. Speech for each person is the main way of communication, a necessary means of communication, through which he is involved in the social environment, forms meaningful connections for himself, this is what connects the child with the mother from the very first days of life. Speech is also a source through which generations are passed cultural traditions influencing the way of thinking and acting on our mentality.

There are a number of important roles that it performs. In the scientific literature distinguish three functions of speech:

- representative, representing through speech signs (words) any objects and phenomena. The meaning of each word in our consciousness is associated with a certain conception of something;

- expressive, expressing the subjective perception of the speaker, his emotional attitude to what he says, and to what sense he puts into the said;

Appeal function, motivating. The said word necessarily assumes the listener, and accordingly, the response to the statement is expected, thus, it induces to action, exerts a psychological influence on the communication participant.

In order to more clearly represent these three basic functions of speech, we give a simple example. The most common monosyllabic phrase "Snow" indicates meteorological precipitation. A speaker can pronounce it with a certain intonation, emotional coloring, which will show his attitude to this phenomenon, his state of mind and other emotional shades. In addition, this phrase, addressed to someone, may contain a call to action (for example, it is warmer to get dressed or go sledging), a reminder of something, etc.

In addition to those mentioned above, other, more abstract functions of speech are distinguished, which, however, echo them.

The first of these is signifi cant, or a notation function. In the language, many words that denote objects and phenomena that are absent in the actual field of perception, express abstract objects that are beyond the control of sensory experience. Words for speakers of one language are intermediaries, through which mutual understanding is reached between people. At the same time, the word is the custodian of information about phenomena, events and objects.

The second function of speech is generalization. Speaking of it, it must be said that one word can have many meanings, just as many words in a language denote the same phenomenon, an object or concept. Expressing only one of the meanings in a speech, the word gives an opportunity for generalizations, and this is one of the important factors in the development of abstract thinking.

Finally, we need to highlight the importance of another function of speech - communicative. It is necessary to establish contacts with other people, to transmit information. In the process of communication, a person not only communicates his knowledge, opinions, but also expresses an emotional attitude to various phenomena of reality. Any speech utterance is both a message and a way of self-expression of a person.

Thus, speech and its functions are an important link in the development and formation of a person in the physiological, mental and social aspects. Speech communication is the main way of informing others, it is a way of conveying expressive and emotional evaluation to the environment; finally, it is a way of expressing the will, expressing the intent or intent of the speaker.

The functions of speech are closely related, in the process of verbal communication they exist in parallel and each of them fulfills its role.