The Phatic function of communication is used ________.
(A) to open the channel of communication
(B) for aesthetic value of communication
(C) to carry factual information
(D) to give orders
(E) to initiate a conversation like hello.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is A

Thephatic function of communicationrefers to language used primarily to establish or maintain social contact rather than to convey meaningful information. It includes:

• (A) Opening the channel of communication(e.g., greetings, small talk).

• (E) Initiating a conversation (e.g., "Hello," "How are you?")—these are classic phatic expressions.

Information Booster:

1. The term "phatic" comes from the Greek word phatos, meaning "spoken" or related to speech.

2. Phatic communication is mostly about social interaction and maintaining interpersonal bonds.

3. Examples include greetings ("Hi!", "How are you?"), small talk, or comments about the weather that keep the conversation going.

4. It does not aim to exchange information or influence behavior directly but facilitates a comfortable communication environment.

5. The phatic function was identified by linguist Roman Jakobson, who described it as one of six functions of language.

Additional Information:

• (b) Aesthetic value of communication refers to the poetic or artistic use of language, which is unrelated to the phatic function.

• (c) Carrying factual information is related to the referential function of communication, not phatic.

• (d) Giving orders relates to the conative function, aimed at influencing others’ behavior.