Language is a complex and multifaceted system that allows us to communicate with each other. But have you ever wondered how we make sense of language? How do we know what words mean and how to use them appropriately in different situations?
One theory that attempts to explain this is the mimetic pragmatic expressive objective theory. This theory suggests that language is made up of four different functions: mimetic, pragmatic, expressive, and objective. Let’s explore each of these functions in more detail.
Mimetic Function
The mimetic function of language refers to its ability to imitate or represent the world around us. This function is closely related to the referential function of language, which allows us to use words to refer to objects, actions, and ideas in the world. For example, when we say “tree,” we are using language mimetically to refer to the object in the world that we recognize as a tree.
The mimetic function of language is important because it allows us to communicate about the world around us and to share our experiences with others. It is also the foundation for many other functions of language, such as the expressive and objective functions.
Pragmatic Function
The pragmatic function of language refers to its use in social situations to accomplish specific goals. This function is closely related to the social function of language, which allows us to use language to interact with others and to establish social relationships. For example, when we say “hello” to someone, we are using language pragmatically to establish a social connection with them.
The pragmatic function of language is important because it allows us to use language to accomplish specific goals in social situations. It also allows us to adapt our language use to different contexts and to understand the social and cultural norms that govern language use.
Expressive Function
The expressive function of language refers to its use to express our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. This function is closely related to the emotive function of language, which allows us to use language to express our emotions and to convey our attitudes towards things. For example, when we say “I’m happy,” we are using language expressively to convey our emotional state.
The expressive function of language is important because it allows us to communicate our inner world to others and to connect with them on an emotional level. It also allows us to express our individuality and to differentiate ourselves from others.
Objective Function
The objective function of language refers to its use to convey factual information and to describe the world in an objective, unbiased way. This function is closely related to the informative function of language, which allows us to use language to convey information about the world. For example, when we say “the sky is blue,” we are using language objectively to describe a fact about the world.
The objective function of language is important because it allows us to communicate factual information to others and to establish a shared understanding of the world. It also allows us to use language to reason and to make logical arguments.
Conclusion
The mimetic pragmatic expressive objective theory provides a useful framework for understanding the different functions of language. By recognizing that language can be used in different ways to accomplish different goals, we can better understand how we make sense of language and how we use it to communicate with each other.