The communicative view of language

The communicative view of language

Introduction
	The communicative, or functional view of language is the view that language is a vehicle for the expression of functional meaning. The semantic and communicative dimensions of language are more emphasized than the grammatical characteristics, although these are also included.

Areas of research drawn on
	Here are some of the areas of research in this view of language:
	sociolinguistics pragmatics semantics

Target of language learning
	The target of language learning is to learn to express communication functions and categories of meaning

Approaches and methods based on this view
	Some of the language learning approaches and methods based on this view of language are:
	communicative approaches functional-notional syllabuses The Natural Approach

Source
	Adapted from Richards and Rodgers 1986

Context for this page:

Fact module: The communicative view of language
In overview module: Three views about the nature of language
In overview module: Information about language and language learning
In modular book: Prepare for Language Learning, by Carol J. Orwig
In bookshelf: Language Learning

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 3.5, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 8 April 1999

© 1999 SIL International