Function of Speaking
The mastery of speaking skills
in English is a priority for many second and foreign language learners. Several
language experts have attempted to categorize the functions of speaking in
human interaction. According to Brown and Yule there are three function of
speaking, “…three part version of Brown and Yule’s framework (after Jones 1996
and Burns 1998): talks as interaction: talk as transaction: talk as performance.
Each of these speech activities is quite distinct in term of form and
function and requires different teaching approaches.”[1]
1) Talk
as interaction
Our daily
communication remains interactional with other people. This refers to what we
said as conversation. It is an
interactive communication which done spontaneous by two or more person. This is
about how people try to convey his message to other people. Therefore, they
must use speaking skill to communicate to other person. The main intention in
this function is social relationship.
2)
Talk
as transaction
In talk as
transaction is more focus on message that conveyed and making others person
understand what we want convey, by clearly and accurately. In this type of
spoken language, students and teacher usually focus on meaning or talking what
their way to understanding.
3)
Talk
as performance
In this case, speaking activities is more focus on monolog
better than dialog. Function of speaking as performance happened at speeches,
public talks, public announcements, retell story, teling story and so on.
[1]
Jack C. Richards ,
Teaching Listening and Speaking; From
Theory to Practice, (New York : Cambridge University Press, 2008), P. 21.