Functionalism

GIRIJA SELVARAJA 175813

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YANG FARHA FARHANI BT FADZARAHMAN 175576 NUR IYLIA BT RUSLI 17222

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LEE CHUI TENG 173008

SHARIFAH NURUL NADIA 173891

Functionalism ď‚– ď‚™ Functionalism, in linguistics, the approach to language study that is concerned with the functions performed by language, primarily in terms of cognition

(relating

information),

expression

(indicating mood), and conation (exerting influence).

Origin   Associated with the Prague school of linguists prominent , Roman Osipovich Jakobson since the 1930s,  “The phonological, grammatical and semantic structures of a language are determined by the functions they have to perform in the societies in which they operate.”

J.R FIRTH   Structuralism and Functionalism are blended  Firth‟s system - an enumerated set of choices in a specific context.  Any item will have two types of context: - The context of other possible choices in the system - The context in which the system itself occurs.

Bronislaw Malinowski   Phatic communion “Speech serves the function of creating or maintaining „bonds of sentiment‟ between speakers.”

Michael HallidaY   The late 1950‟s  The influence from Malinowski  Systemic grammar - a grammar of meaningful choices rather than of formal rules.  Halliday's theory  That language is part of the social semiotic  That people talk to each other.

The basic of functionalism

  Stresses importance of language for the expression of meaning  Language is to allow interaction and communication

Functionalism Approach in Language Teaching



 Functional theories of language propose it is reasonable to assume that languages are best analyzed and understood with references to the functions they carry out.  Used for meaningful purposes and to carry out authentic functions  For people learning the language for specific purposes

Examples of teaching methods and approaches



 Comparing sets of pictures, similarities/ differences, following directions, solving problems from given scenarios  Discussions among group members, dialogues, role plays, debates.  Note: Focuses mainly on communication using authentic materials and approach.

Strength of Functionalism

  Functionalism focuses on communicative competence  Functionalism gives more freedom and less stress to the learners  Functionalism enhances learners autonomy and promotes self-monitoring

Weaknesses of Functionalism

  Functionalism focuses on communicative meaning and interaction, not forms.  Functionalism is not suitable for writing  Learners accurately.

can

communicate

fluently,

but

not

ď‚– Comparison between Functionalism and Innatism

Functionalism  Language is developed out of need for communication.

Four approaches of functionalist framework  System Linguistics Focuses on the circumstances and contexts of language uses.

Focuses on developing meaning.

Serving as the primary function of language.  Functional Typology Focus on differences and similarities between many languages where L2 compares The differences between two languages.  Function-to-form meaning Speaker competency develops- The speaker uses very little grammar at first while later on grammar is used intensively.  Information organization Focuses on utterance structure which is the way learners put their words together.

Innatism  Innatist believe that the ability to learn a language in itself is innate and strictly restricted reserved to human being.  Part of language structure is genetically given to every child.  Universal Grammar (UG) serves as an explanation for the discrepancy between Input and output.  Input > the utterances which the child hears  Output > the utterances which the child produces (child grammar) This is known as the logical problem of language acquisition.

Focuses on the fact that children are able to master the complexities of a language system in a relatively short time at a relatively young age whereas adult second language (L2) learners need considerably more time and will never be able to reach the level of first language (L1) speaker.

Video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jc0lVmmRB0&list=PLkFeukG82Ft_U7vpcSkgh5V3jivI9b4OE

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