Karl Bühler and Language Functions 3 Keys

Karl Bühler and language functions are a subject of mandatory review for those who wish to know a little more about the field of linguistics.

Well, Karl Bühler's study and language functions are an important precedent to understand the studies that have then developed around this subject, then, Bühler left a huge open door for many linguistic possibilities.

However, the most important antecedent could be said that it is that of the Greek philosopher called Plato. It was he who began to question what language was and what function had in a work that many linguists and philosophers of language still study.

In the crate, Plato rewrites a dialogue of his teacher Socrates in which he reads:

"Socrates. - But tell me then one thing: What is, for us, the function that the names have and what do we say that it is their beautiful result?

CRANTILO. - I think teaching, Socrates. And this is very simple: the one who knows the names, also knows things."

So, when Karl Bühler and language functions appear on the scene as a complex theme, in reality, Bühler has started from that great Platonic work.

In the crate it is possible to note that the origin of the words is complex, as well as the nature of the same. For Plato, language was like a Organ or instrument from which people made use to inform others about any matter.

Thus, for Plato, language is an instrument whose function is to know the world and communicate. Karl Bühler starts from that conception to formulate his conception of the functions that language has.

Content

• Karl Bühler and Language Functions
  • Karl Bühler's work
  •  In conclusion
  • Bibliography

Karl Bühler and Language Functions

There have been many linguists who have elaborated thesis and proposals on the function that language fulfills in reality.

But, as some studies indicate, it was the three -time the language of the language that Bühler raised what allowed to establish the basis for new studies and research on the subject to emerge.

So, those who wish to know about language and their functions cannot overlook the contribution made by this remarkable psychologist, philosopher and German linguist, born in Meckesheim, in 1879, and died in California, United States, in 1963.

When mentioning the functions of language, the different tasks that the human being does through language are alluded to. Depending on the predominant communicative factor, it is normal for an author to consider one more relevant than others and develop his theory based on it.

In the development of his Karl Bühler theory, he mentions three communication factors (the issuer, the message and the receiver) and this will be his starting point to refer to the functions of language.

So that:

1. Attending the factor of transmitter, Language will have an expressive function.
2. Considering the factor of message, The language function will be representative.
3. Taking into account the factor of receiver, Language function will be appellation.

This work in which Karl Bühler and language functions appear as a center, is called language theory (Sprachtheorie), Published in 1934, and was translated into Spanish thanks to the work executed by author Julián Marías.

This work of great relevance that exposes the theory of Karl Bühler and the functions of language has a prologue, an introduction and four chapters in which his theory about the conception of language stretchs methodically.

Karl Bühler's work

Bühler's central work, as mentioned, has four chapters that are titled:

• The principles of linguistics
• The showing field of language and demonstrations
• The symbolic field of language and names
• Human speech structure: elements and compositions

This simple scheme in the communicative plane, of issuer, message and receiver, is due to Bühler, although his theory is a bit more complex.

For Bühler, as for Plato, the main function of language is to communicate, And from there the functions are based:

1. Representative function: Communicates an objective and the main fact is to be able to express ideas, establishing relationships between the statements and the rest of the content of the message.
2. Expressive function: It fulfills the function of transmitting subjective type appreciations by the issuer, in this function the manifestation of the feelings would be possible.
3. Appellation Function: which refers to messages that try to generate a reaction in the receiver, such as when it is ordered to close a door, for example.

It's important pointing that, For Bühler, there is no function that is a priority, since, in a single message, all functions can be contained.

 In conclusion

Karl Bühler's theory and language functions constituted a great contribution within linguistics.

Then, another very prominent author, Roman Jakobson, added more functions, such as referential or informative, emotional, appellative, metalinguistic, and included the aesthetic or poetic function, as well as the phatic or relational with which, not only communicates, but social contact is encouraged.

The importance of our language

Bibliography

• Bühler, k. (2011). Theory of Language: The Representational Function of Language. In Theory of Language: The Representational Function of Language.
• Cobb-Stevens, R. (1983). Karl Bühler. International Philosophical Quarterly.
• Mulligan, k. (1997). The Essence of Language: Wittgenstein's Builders and Bühler's Bricks. Métaphysique et de Morale Revue.
• Zierep, j., & Bühler, K. (2010). Grundzüge der Strömungslehre. In Grundzüge der Strömungslehre.