Phatic expression

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Not to be confused with Haptic communication.

In linguistics, a phatic expression /ˈfætk/ is one whose only function is to perform a social task, as opposed to conveying information.[1]


The term "phatic communion" was coined by anthropologist Bronisław Malinowski in his essay "The Problem of Meaning in Primitive Languages," which appeared in 1923 in The Meaning of Meaning by C.K. Ogden and I.A. Richards. The term comes from the Greek "phatos" (spoken, that may be spoken), and from "phanai" (to speak, say).


The utterance of a phatic expression is a kind of speech act.

In Roman Jakobson's work, 'Phatic' communication is that which concerns the channel of communication, for instance when one says "I can't hear you, you're breaking up" in the middle of a cell phone conversation. This usage appears, for instance, in research on online communities and micro-blogging.[2][3]


By language[edit]




The following is a specific example of the former: a simple, basic exchange between two acquaintances in a non-formal environment.

Speaker one: "What's up? (US English. In UK English this means "is there something wrong?")
Speaker two: "Hey, how's it going?"


Speaker one: "Alright? (UK English. In US English this means "is there something wrong?")
Speaker two: "You alright."

Neither speaker expects an actual answer to the question. Much like a shared nod, it is an indication that each has recognized the other's presence and has therefore sufficiently performed that particular social duty.


Main article: Aizuchi



Main article: Taarof


See also[edit]


  1. ^ Malinowski, B. (1923) "The Problem of Meaning in Primitive Languages”, in: Charles K. Ogden / Ian A. Richards (eds.), The Meaning of Meaning, 146-152, London: Routledge