Linguistics and Communication - Roman Jakobson

Linguistics and Communication: Roman Jakobson

Roman Jakobson's Linguistics and Communication is a seminal work in the field of linguistics. First published in 1966, the book has since been translated into more than 20 languages and is considered a must-read for anyone interested in the study of language.

In Linguistics and Communication, Jakobson presents his theory of language as a system of communication. He argues that language is not simply a tool for conveying information, but also a way of expressing emotions, attitudes, and social relationships. Jakobson's theory has been influential in the development of many different fields, including linguistics, anthropology, sociology, and psychology.

Key Concepts

Jakobson's theory of language is based on the following key concepts:

• Language is a system of communication. Language is a way of transmitting information from one person to another.
• Language is not simply a tool for conveying information. Language also expresses emotions, attitudes, and social relationships.
• Language is a complex system. Language is made up of many different components, including sounds, words, sentences, and texts.
• Language is constantly changing. Language is not a static system, but is constantly evolving and changing.

Jakobson's Model of Communication

Jakobson's model of communication is a visual representation of the communication process. The model shows how the sender of a message encodes the message into a signal, which is then transmitted through a channel to the receiver, who decodes the signal into a message.

Jakobson's model of communication is a useful tool for understanding how language works. The model shows how the different components of language work together to create a message that can be understood by the receiver.

The Functions of Language

Jakobson argues that language has six different functions:

• The referential function refers to the use of language to convey information.
• The emotive function refers to the use of language to express emotions.
• The conative function refers to the use of language to influence the behavior of others.
• The poetic function refers to the use of language to create aesthetic pleasure.
• The phatic function refers to the use of language to establish and maintain social contact.
• The metalingual function refers to the use of language to talk about language itself.

Jakobson's theory of the functions of language is a useful tool for understanding how language is used in different contexts. The theory shows how the different functions of language can be used to achieve different communicative goals.

Conclusion

Linguistics and Communication is a classic work in the field of linguistics. Jakobson's theory of language as a system of communication has been influential in the development of many different fields, including linguistics, anthropology, sociology, and psychology. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the study of language.

Why You Should Buy This Book

If you are interested in the study of language, then Linguistics and Communication is a must-read. Jakobson's theory of language is a powerful and insightful way of understanding how language works. The book is also a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of linguistics and the development of communication theory.

Here are a few reasons why you should buy this book:

• It is a classic work in the field of linguistics.
• Jakobson's theory of language is a powerful and insightful way of understanding how language works.
• The book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of linguistics and the development of communication theory.
• It is an essential read for anyone interested in the study of language.