Michael Halliday's Functions of Speech - CLA

Michael Halliday's Functions of Speech - CLA

Instrumental:

The child begins to use language to express their needs. Directly concerned with obtaining food, drink and comfort, e.g. 'want juice'.

Regulatory:

Child begins to use language to influence the behaviour of others. Persuading/commanding/requesting others to do things. E.g. 'go away'.

Interactional:

Child uses language to develop social relationships and ease the process of interaction.
Concerned with the phatic dimension of talk e.g. 'I love you.'

Personal:

Child uses language to express personal preferences and individual identity e.g. 'I am good'. Sometimes referred to as the 'Here I am!' function - announcing oneself to the world.

Representational:

Child uses language to exchange information. Concerned with relaying or requesting facts and information.

Heuristic:

Child uses language to learn of and explore the environment to learn. This may be questions and answers, or the kind of running commentary that frequently accompanies children play e.g. 'What is the tractor doing?'

Imaginative:

Child uses language to tell stories and jokes, and to create an imaginary environment. May also accompany play as children create an imaginary environment.
May also accompany play as children create imaginary words, or may arise from storytelling.