Language is a symbolic, rule-governed system, shared by a group of people to express their thoughts and feelings. It provides a bank of memories and symbols inherited from one's fellow speakers and created in one's own lifetime.Language is also the medium through which most knowledge is constructed, hence they are closely tied to the thoughts and identity of the individual. Language is a complex phenomenon with multiple functions. Various linguists have tried to understand and elucidate the functions of language. Roman Jakobson defined six primary functions of language according to which an effective act of verbal communication can be described. These functions are:The referential function: This function is primarily used to convey information which was one of the primary reasons that language was discovered. The expressive function: This function reports the feelings, emotions, ideas, and attitudes of the speaker or writer and it is also meant to evoke feelings in the listener or reader. This form of communication can also happen when we are alone.For example, if my mobile phone falls into a bucket of water, what do you think Im likely to say to myself? Probably use a swear word. We can also utter emotive utterances of a positive nature, especially when we sight something of great beauty €œWow, isnt that beautiful!€The directive function: This function engages the addressee directly and is usually used for the purpose of causing or preventing an action.The phatic function: This involves language for the sake of social interaction. This function can be observed in greetings.The poetic function: This function focuses on the message for its own sake, and is used in poetry as well as in slogans. The metalingual function: This function is used to talk about language itself. Therefore, it could be said that when a student uses a language to express her feelings, emotions, and ideas, she is using the expressive function of language.