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Discuss structural, functional, and interactional views of language.
Language is a structured system of communication that consists of grammar and vocabulary. The study of language involves different perspectives. The three main views are the structural, functional, and interactional approaches. Each approach helps us understand how language works and how it fulfils its roles in society.
The Structural View of Language: The structural view sees language as a system of organized structures. This approach focuses on the rules governing how sounds, words, and sentences are formed. Language is understood as a set of grammatical and phonological patterns. In this view:
The structural view is linked to traditional methods like the Grammar Translation Method. It stresses memorization and practice of grammatical rules.
The Functional View of Language: The functional view of language focuses on how language is used to fulfill communicative purposes. Unlike the structural view, the functional view centres on the social functions of language. In this view:
This approach aligns with communicative language teaching (CLT). It emphasizes real-life communication and fluency.
The Interactional View of Language: The interactional view sees language as a means of building and maintaining social relationships. This perspective focuses on the interactive and interpersonal aspects of communication. In this view:
The interactional approach is often used in teaching practices that focus on dialogue, role-playing, and other activities that simulate real-life interactions.
Comparing the Views: These three views are not mutually exclusive but provide complementary insights. While the structural view emphasizes the “what” of language, focusing on grammar and form, the functional view focuses on the “why,” emphasizing the purpose behind language use. The interactional view adds the “how” of language, focusing on how language is used in social settings.
Practical Implications: Understanding these views has practical applications in both language learning and teaching:
In summary, each view has its strengths and limitations. The choice of approach depends on the learners’ needs and goals. By combining these views, learners gain a more holistic understanding of language.
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