Explain the referential and poetic functions of Jakobson's Speech Act Model in relation to President Ramaphosa's speech. Use examples from the speech to illustrate each function and demonstrate how language choices influence communication effectiveness.
Jakobson's Speech Act Model defines six functions of language, two of which are particularly relevant to President Ramaphosa's speech: the referential function, which conveys information, and the poetic function, which emphasizes the aesthetic and emotional aspects of language.
In President Ramaphosa's speech, the referential function is evident in his use of statistics and facts to inform the audience about the current situation in the country. For example, when he stated, "Unemployment is at an all-time high of 32.6%, youth unemployment is over 46% and 74% of our young people are not in employment, education or training," he is using language to provide concrete information about the economic challenges facing South Africa. This use of the referential function helps to emphasize the seriousness of the issues and create a sense of urgency among the audience.
On the other hand, the poetic function is demonstrated in President Ramaphosa's speech through his use of vibrant imagery and evocative language. For instance, when he said, "This is a moment of great concern when the nation's political, social and economic wellbeing are threatened," he is using language to not only convey information but also evoke emotion and create a sense of drama around the situation. This use of the poetic function helps to engage the audience on a deeper level and make the speech more memorable and impactful.
Overall, by effectively utilizing both the referential and poetic functions of language in his speech, President Ramaphosa is able to communicate the gravity of the situation in South Africa while also engaging the audience on an emotional level. This demonstrates how language choices can influence the effectiveness of communication by conveying information clearly and creating a strong emotional connection with the audience.