Evidence For Function?

[atarLORD]

Hi,

I am a bit unsure on how to provide evidence for the functions of phatic communication and maintaining relationship. I know that these are the purpose of the text, but i am unsure of how to prove it.

What sorts of features should i be looking at in the text?

Thanks

[grannysmith]

Hi,

I am a bit unsure on how to provide evidence for the functions of phatic communication and maintaining relationship. I know that these are the purpose of the text, but i am unsure of how to prove it.

What sorts of features should i be looking at in the text?

Thanks

Haven't actually touched on this in class, but from what I can gather, phatic communication includes things such as adjacency pairs, using discourse particles to make statements/remarks less direct etc. You may be able to identify these features and in turn justify how they function to maintain a relationship between interlocutors.
In addition, interlocutors may use back-channelling (or minimal responses) to support the other in holding the floor. Of course, this also means that participants have effective cooperation and turn-taking e.g. through the use of interrogative tags.

Nonetheless, even the use of slang could be evidence for maintaining relationship, as this indicates common knowledge and minimal social distance between interlocutors.

Take this with a grain of salt as I haven't formally covered this topic in class :p However, I think these are some of the things you want to be looking out for.