Phatic
Encyclopedia
In linguistics
, a phatic expression (ˈfætɨk) is one whose only function is to perform a social task, as opposed to conveying information.
.
In Roman Jakobson's
work, 'Phatic' communication is that which concerns the channel of communication, for instance when one says "I can't hear you, you're breaking up" in the middle of a cell phone conversation. In the modern context, this usage appears in online communities and more specifically on micro-blogging
.
In speech
communication the term means "small talk" (conversation for its own sake) and has also been called "grooming
talking".
Similarly, the question "how are you?" is usually an automatic component of a social encounter. Although there are times when "how are you?" is asked in a sincere, concerned manner and does in fact anticipate a detailed response regarding the respondent's present state, this needs to be pragmatically
inferred from context
and intonation
.
The following is a specific example of the former: a simple, basic exchange, between two acquaintances in a non-formal environment.
Neither expects an answer to his/her question. Much like a shared nod, it's an indication that each has recognized the other's presence and has therefore performed sufficiently that particular social duty.
".
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguistics can be broadly broken into three categories or subfields of study: language form, language meaning, and language in context....
, a phatic expression (ˈfætɨk) is one whose only function is to perform a social task, as opposed to conveying information.
History
The term was coined by anthropologist Bronisław Malinowski in the early 1900s from Greek phanein: to show oneself, appear.Understanding
The utterance of a phatic expression is a kind of speech actSpeech act
Speech Act is a technical term in linguistics and the philosophy of language. The contemporary use of the term goes back to John L. Austin's doctrine of locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary acts...
.
In Roman Jakobson's
Roman Jakobson
Roman Osipovich Jakobson was a Russian linguist and literary theorist.As a pioneer of the structural analysis of language, which became the dominant trend of twentieth-century linguistics, Jakobson was among the most influential linguists of the century...
work, 'Phatic' communication is that which concerns the channel of communication, for instance when one says "I can't hear you, you're breaking up" in the middle of a cell phone conversation. In the modern context, this usage appears in online communities and more specifically on micro-blogging
Micro-blogging
Microblogging is a broadcast medium in the form of blogging. A microblog differs from a traditional blog in that its content is typically smaller in both actual and aggregate file size...
.
In speech
Speech
Speech is the human faculty of speaking.It may also refer to:* Public speaking, the process of speaking to a group of people* Manner of articulation, how the body parts involved in making speech are manipulated...
communication the term means "small talk" (conversation for its own sake) and has also been called "grooming
Social grooming
In social animals, including humans, social grooming or allogrooming is an activity in which individuals in a group clean or maintain one another's body or appearance. It is a major social activity, and a means by which animals who live in proximity can bond and reinforce social structures, family...
talking".
English
For example: "You're welcome" is not intended to convey the message that the hearer is welcome; it is a phatic response to being thanked, which in turn is a phatic whose function is to acknowledge the receipt of a benefit.Similarly, the question "how are you?" is usually an automatic component of a social encounter. Although there are times when "how are you?" is asked in a sincere, concerned manner and does in fact anticipate a detailed response regarding the respondent's present state, this needs to be pragmatically
Pragmatics
Pragmatics is a subfield of linguistics which studies the ways in which context contributes to meaning. Pragmatics encompasses speech act theory, conversational implicature, talk in interaction and other approaches to language behavior in philosophy, sociology, and linguistics. It studies how the...
inferred from context
Context (language use)
Context is a notion used in the language sciences in two different ways, namely as* verbal context* social context- Verbal context :...
and intonation
Intonation
Intonation may refer to:*Intonation , the variation of tone used when speaking*Intonation , a musician's realization of pitch accuracy, or the pitch accuracy of a musical instrument*Intonation Music Festival, held in Chicago...
.
The following is a specific example of the former: a simple, basic exchange, between two acquaintances in a non-formal environment.
- Speaker one: "What's up?"
- Speaker two: "Hey, man, how's it going?"
Neither expects an answer to his/her question. Much like a shared nod, it's an indication that each has recognized the other's presence and has therefore performed sufficiently that particular social duty.
Japanese
In Japanese, phatic expressions play a significant role in communication, where they are referred to as "aizuchiAizuchi
Aizuchi is the Japanese term for frequent interjections during a conversation that indicate the listener is paying attention and understanding the speaker. In linguistic terms, these are a form of phatic expression...
".
See also
- EtiquetteEtiquetteEtiquette is a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group...
- Small talk (phatic communication)Small talk (phatic communication)Small talk is an informal type of discourse that does not cover any functional topics of conversation or any transactions that need to be addressed....
- Back-channel#In linguistics
- SociolinguisticsSociolinguisticsSociolinguistics is the descriptive study of the effect of any and all aspects of society, including cultural norms, expectations, and context, on the way language is used, and the effects of language use on society...