Remarks On Speech Functions In Communicative Context

In this study, we clarify the differences between language functions and speech functions, and differentiate tasks of speech and functions of speech. Under the premises that the object of inquiry has been definitude, the study proceeds to purport that speech, at the highest possible level of generality, has two most fundamental functions, namely, the carrying function and the regulative function in communicative context.By means of conducting a thorough-paced investigation of three major types of information carried by speech and a re-examination upon all the variables participating in speech communication, including speech itself, social factors, and experiential factors, a clear picture of what speech functions are is presented in the thesis.The introduction of the carrying and regulative function of speech, and the construction of the organizational mechanism of speech communication behavior bring together speech and its related contextual elements in speech communication activity. It has driven out the vagueness, impreciseness, and abstractness in the relationship between speech and contextual factors. This research, at the same time, makes it possible to conduct a synthesis and dynamic pragmatic analysis on speech and its contextual factors, in which both addressers and addressees are paid attention to. Last but not least, it has ensured us with a solid foundation of introducing economic approach to the study of pragmatics.