Bhlers organon model distinguishes three carasteristic functions of language, which are

also functions of signs in general: representation, expression, and appeal. These functions are determined according to the dominance of one of the three relata of the sign in a given situation of communication. The function of representation dominates whenever the focus of the message in on the referential object. When the focus is on the sender and the sign expresses his or her interiority, the function is expression The function of appeal dominates when the message focuses on the hearer

The dominance of the function is also the criterion of a typology of signs: The sign is symbol when there is a predominantly representative function The sign is symptom (or index) when the dominant function is expression The sign is signal when the dominant function is appeal

Every factor of the organon is to some degree present in any act of communication.

How does this model work?

Bhler's model describes the communication between asender and a receiver by including a third party, the objects or states of affairs.The circle symbolizes the phenomenon of the sound, that is the actual word spoken. The triangle symbolizes the linguistic sign and shares common space with the circle in some areas, while extending beyond it in other areas. This overlapping portrays the two key features of the relationship between the sign and its physical realization. Abstractive relevance Where the circle overlaps the triangle, the phenomenon sound contains more acoustic information than the sign does. We are, however, capable of filtering out the relevant information without being hindered by all the additional stuff, e.g. the "ahs" and "ehms" of casual conversation. Apperceptive enlargement The triangle also covers space beyond the circle. This means that part of the message may be lost, due to either misspellings or omissions on the part of the sender, or because the channel is subjected to noise. In this case, we are still able to fill in the gaps to create a meaningful message. Somehow we gather what got lost. This is what we call apperceptive enlargement

Jakobson

extended Bhlers organon model to a model of six constitutive factors of verbal communication, to which he correlated six corresponding functions of language. The ADRESSER sends a MESSAGE to the ADDRESSEE. To be operative, the message requires a CONTEXT, seizable by the addressee; a CODE common to the addresser and the addressee and, finally a CONTACT enabling both of them to enter and stay in communication.

The functions of messages corresponding to each of these basic elements of communication are determined according to the communicative orientation, the predominant focus o n the respective factor of the communicative situation. In this respect, Jakobson followed Bhlers principle of dominance: every message may have several functions, but one function is often predominant or primary, while other functions play a secondary role. A set toward the referent, an orientation toward the context briefly, the so-called REFERENTIAL, "denotative," "cognitive" function is the leading task of numerous messages, The emotive or exressive function focuses on the speakers own attitude toward the content of the message. Interjections and emphatic speech are examples of language use with a predominantly emotive function. The conative function (Bhlers function of appeal) is oriented toward the addressee. Its purest grammatical expression is in the vocative and imperative The phatic function was discovered by Malinowski. Jakobson adopted the term to describe messages primarily serving to establish, to prolong, or to discontinue sommunication, to check whether the channel works (Hello, do you hear me?), to attract the attention of the interlocutor or to confirm his continuous attention (Are you listening?) The metalinguistic function is exemplified by language referring to language and communication The set (Einstellung) toward the message as such, focus on the message for its own sake, is the POETIC function of language

LINGUISTICS AND POETICS http://akira.ruc.dk/~new/Ret_og_Rigtigt/Jakobson_Eks_15_F12.pdf SUMMARY OF JAKOBSONS LINGUISTICS AND POETICS http://www.rlwclarke.net/courses/LITS3304/20042005/05AJakobsonLinguisticsAndPoetics.pdf HANDBOOK OF SEMIOTICS http://books.google.com.ar/books?id=rHA4KQcPeNgC&pg=PA185&lpg=PA185&dq=jakobs on+functions+of+language+buhler&source=bl&ots=ddr5uXmN9h&sig=_m7QJdbL2jWVVbK 3zixJgVakZ1g&hl=es-419&sa=X&ei=fHU3U5eHDc6T0gHmoGgDw&ved=0CDsQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q&f=false LINGUISTICS FOR BEGINNERS http://es.scribd.com/doc/13384840/36/Buhler-s-organon-model OXFORD ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SEMIOTICS: Jakobsons Model of Linguistic Communication http://www.answers.com/topic/jakobson-s-model-of-linguistic-communication