What are the functions of language?

1. Cognitive function. That is to say, language is a tool for human beings to understand the world. With the help of language, we can understand the world and acquire new knowledge. Cognitive function connects language and thinking. 2. Communication function. Communication between people is usually accomplished with the help of language. We convert the images in our minds into language for expression, and then convert the received language of others into images in our minds for understanding. 3. Emotional function. Language can convey emotions and express our emotional attitudes towards objective things or people we talk to. 4. Referring function. Human beings use language to name various things in the objective world, such as "table", "chair", "star" and "sun". 5. Thought shaping function. Language can not only convey and express thoughts, but also influence the formation of thoughts. 6. Accumulation function. Human beings use language to accumulate knowledge in the form of text or spoken language and complete the transmission of information across time and space. 7. Communication maintenance function. Human beings maintain communication through language, such as greetings, farewells, and small talk in British culture on topics such as the weather. 8. Conative function. That is, the speaker uses language to influence the listener, such as persuading consumers to buy products through advertising. 9. Poetic function. That is to use language to beautify reality, mainly for aesthetic communication. 10. Super language function. That is, using language to explain the language itself, such as explaining words to a child that he does not understand, or using easy-to-understand words in a dictionary to explain difficult-to-understand words. 11. Acting function. That is, using language to complete certain actions, such as naming, swearing to marry, etc.