oral com (lesson 1) functions of com.

• Communication as a human activity always serves a function. Functions of communication refer to how humans use language or different purposes. Theoretician such as Roman Jakobson, Michael Halliday and Bronislaw Malinowski have categorized the different uses or functions of communication.
• 1. Regulation/control - can be used to control the behaviour of human beings. It can be used to regulate the nature and

  amount of activities human engage in.
• 1. Social interaction- communication can be used to produced social interaction. In their daily course of living, human being develop and maintain bonds, intimacy, relations and associations.
• 1. Motivation-as a function of communication refers to a person using a language to express desires, needs, wants, likes and dislikes, inclinations, choices and aspirations.
• 1. Information- communication can be used for giving and getting information. Giving information usually comes in the form of statement of facts (grammatically known as declaratives)
• 1. Emotional expression- always need to express their emotions verbally and nonverbally. Emotions are a central part of who we are. Beyond thinking about the things and people in our world, we feel about them and about ourselves.
• 1. Expressing opinions- the function to which expressing an opinion belongs depends on the purpose and setting. Covering every category of communication functions.

   
• 1. Verbal communication- speaker must not only communicate with their words, but also their actions. Their words and actions must match. Otherwise, miscommunication can occur. Communication using words is also called VERBAL COMMUNICATION.
• Pause- a speaker pauses between utterances in order to allow listeners to process what the speaker has spoken.

   
• Loudness and softness- depending on the speaker's style, emphasis can be achieved by either speaking loudly or softly. Other emotions can be expressed using the loudness or softness of the voice.

   
• Rhythm- the way a speaker talks, can be a powerful tool to engage listeners. Rhythm refers to the speed and flow of a speaker's utterances.

   
•  Repetition and rephrasing- as a part of the speakers' effort to help the listener understand, the speaker will do well to repeat his/her utterances specially if the content is difficult to understand.

   
• Tone- is essential in communicating effectively. It often shows the attitude of the speaker towards the topic or the listener.

   
• Appropriate form of language- must use the appropriate form of language  to be used in a given setting. The technical term for the form of language used is register.
• Non-verbal communication- expressing oneself without the use of words. more prone to misinterpretation than verbal communication.
• Gestures- plays an important role in communication. can help a speakers' point better.
• Eye contact- a speakers maintains eye contact with his or her listeners, he/she gives the impression of being serious about what is being discussed.
• Posture- standing with an erect body and head makes for good posture and is applicable in most settings.

   
• Facial expression- a speaker's facial expression must match the topic of discussion.

   
• Proxemics- speakers must make use of the space around properly. The use of space in communication is called proxemics.