Oral Communication Grade 11 | Functions of Communication

Oral communication in context is one of the subjects that we take in senior high school. This covers different topics that we can use in improving our style and techniques in using a particular language.  You may think that some of the topics here are easy to understand like verbal and non-verbal communication, elements of communication, and the different models of communication.

However, there is one topic that I think most of the students rarely understand well. This is the topic about “Functions of communication.” Can still remember how your teacher explains this to you? Can still remember the different functions of communication?  Can you explain the difference between regulation and social interaction function? If not, feel free to continue reading this post. Below, I will explain in a very easy way on how function of communication works.

Function of Communication   

Communication functions refer to how people use language for different purposes.  Function of communication may appeal to heart/emotion or your memory.

The most basic functions of communication are to regulate/ to control, to inform, to interact socially, to express and to motivate.

Regulation Function or to regulate– What does it mean when we say “regulate?” This simply means to control. When the very purpose of communication is to control a certain behavior, then you can tell that it demonstrate regulation function.

As for example,  a mother asking her son to wash the dishes after eating their lunch.

Mother: “Before you play outside, please wash the dishes.”

Son: “Yes, mom!”

Usually, when it comes to regulation function, one person has the authority, or higher level of command to another person. As for example in a mother-child  relationship. There are plenty of examples you can think of. Boss to employees, doctor to patient, and many more.

Information Function or to inform– This functions simply focuses in transferring information. If the very purpose is to simply pass information or ideas for the benefit of knowledge or one’s awareness, then this is Information function.

As for example, a teacher explaining a particular lesson to her class or a child explaining to her parents what the school contributions is all about.

The level of authority in involves in this functions does not matter that much. Regardless of the age, social status, gender and culture, one can execute information function.

Motivation function or to motivate– This functions appeal to mind for the very purpose changing one’s belief or desire in accomplishing something.

Most of the time, motivation function is misunderstood by students. They got really confused with the difference of this function to information function.

Here’s how to clearly understand this. Motivation functions appeals to long term memory most of the time. When it appeals to long term, you can’t easily forget it. This can serve as your life changing ideas. On the other hand, information functions usually appeals to short term memory. You need information in a short span of time or only in that particular moment.

Motivation functions encourages individual to do better in life. These are in the form of giving advice or counselling.

As a common example, this can be attributed in a conversation of a psychologist giving advise to her clients. Another is a mother encouraging her son to change his desire to study.

Emotional expression function or to express– This functions simply wants to express emotion or strong feelings because of a particular situations or happening.  Think of any emotion here, anger, pain, shock, happiness, sadness.  Whatever it is, as long as it is attributed to an emotion that you only want to express, then it is emotional expression functions.

You may think of a man shouting because he won the lottery. Another is  a conversation between a man who proposes his admiration to a woman.

This functions appeals to the heart rather than the mind.

Social Interaction function or to interact– This is a simple function of communication that primarily aims to establish social relationship or bonds between individuals.

You can think of  a conversation in the first day of a class or whenever you are in a social gathering. If the end purpose is to establish relationship, then it is social interaction function.

In summary, we have five functions of communication.  These are to regulate, to inform, to motivate, to express emotion, and to interact socially.

All of these are just simple concepts in communication but these play a major role in establishing a healthy and well-develop understanding on how communication works.

Do you have questions regarding this topic? Feel free to ask below. I am willing to answer you.

You can also share a more detailed explanations here so that many can benefit from reading this post. Thank you so much.

• This topic was modified 4 years ago by Honey Le Digstero.