AnExplorationofLinguisticFunctionsofEnglishCross—CulturalLoveEmails

【Abstract】New technology gives singles a whole new way to find love and has affected the mode of interpersonal communication.English cross-cultural love email is a by- product of online love.By using the method of illustration，I attempt to define English cross-cultural love emails and explore linguistic functions of these emails.

【Key words】English cross-cultural love emails； linguistic functions

1.Introduction

Usually，English cross-cultural love emails are emails in which email writers from different countries reveal to the email readers as much imformation about themselves as they know – their thoughts，feelings，habits，likes，dislikes，personal history，daily activities，and plans for the future，and hopefully the honesty and openness can triger the feeling of love and build up a serious relationship，cross- cultural marriage in particular.

2.Linguistic functions of English cross-cultural love emails

Having great power and functions，language is the method of human communication，either spoken or written，consisting of the use of words in agreed patterns.“I speak； therefore I am”，said James E.Miller，who thinks the individual establishes his individuality，his distinction as a human being through language （Miller 1972）.After studying 300 authentic emails I try to summarize their four linguistic functions： expressive function，interactional function，personal function，and informative function.

2.1 Expressive function

The expressive function reports feelings or attitudes of the writer，or of the subject，or evokes feelings in the reader （Halliday 1973）.Much of the expression of emotions，feelings or attitudes in English cross-cultural love emails is done by writing poetry，lyrics，songs，ordinary language or implied symbols，etc..We could use an example extracted from one email below.

（1）a.Hi，my dear Laopo.I missed you very much this weekend.How did your English class go？ I love you Mrs Zhu Elsbury.Warm hug and kiss for you – xxxx.

In （1a），Dave the writer greets with imformal and intimate words，which inform us of their romantic relationship.And the combination of emotional words and symbols “x” are used to tell his heart and intentions，and we know emotions are infectious，which will spread happiness，joy and love.

2.2 Interactional function

The interactional function of language is used more prevalently in the social aspect where language is used to bridge personalities and build relationships between individuals （Halliday 1973）.For example，in （1a），Dave called the receiver Laopo （老婆），meaning wife in Chinese，though they have not been officially married.Such saying might be consciously or subconsciously building love within them.The interactional function is activated whenever two or more individuals are communicating with the conscious or subconscious attempt to learn more about one another's intentions，thoughts and feelings.

2.3 Personal function

The personal function is relegated to explore one's innermost feelings and emotions.It is much more intimate and less structured than social language because of individuals' different psychological experiences and perspectives （Halliday 1973）.The following message is a good example performing such a function.

（2） a.Hmm，the hotel sounds far away from where you live.I was getting worried that I could not find any hotel to allow me to send in the visa paperwork.

In （2a），the writer uses the verb and verb phrase sounds and getting worried to explore his inside，not just express his thoughts on the subject，since the personal function is different from the expressive function and is more private.

2.4 Informative function

The informative function is used to pass on information，organize facts and data，and educate others of such information through deliberated language （Halliday 1973）.For example：

（3） Zhu，I am sorry to hear about your storm.I did not realize the typhoon was upon you！ Wow，that storm was intense.It looked like the kind of weather we have here from hurricanes.

Dave the writer organized the information about the storm，which did happen in Zhanjiang.And instances about informative function in English cross-cultural love email are too numerous to list.

References：

[1]Halliday，M.A.K.Language in a Social Perspective.Explorations in the Functions of Language.London：Edward Arnold，1973.

[2]Miller，James E.Jr.Word，Self，Reality.New York：Dodd，Mead and Company，1972.

作者简介：

黄海平（1984），女，广东湛江人，广西民族大学，在读研究生二年级，外国语言学及应用语言学。