Functionalism in linguistics refers to a …………… perspective that emphasizes the functional aspects of language and how language serves communicative and cognitive functions in human societies. This approach emerged as a reaction against structuralism, which focused on the formal and abstract structures of language. Functionalism emphasizes that the …………… purpose of language is communication. It investigates how linguistic structures and elements facilitate effective communication between individuals and within communities. It views language as a tool for achieving various social and cognitive functions. It explores how linguistic elements are used to express meanings, convey information, and serve communicative goals in …………… contexts. Functional linguists pay close attention to the context in which language is used. They analyse how linguistic structures are influenced by …………… and cultural factors, and they seek to understand the role of context in shaping language use. Functionalism recognizes and studies the variation in language use across different social, regional, and situational contexts. It examines how linguistic forms vary based on their functions in …………… communicative settings. Pragmatics, the study of how context influences the interpretation of meaning, is a central aspect of functionalist linguistics. Functionalists investigate how speakers use language in ……………-world situations, considering factors such as politeness, inference, and presupposition. Functionalism provides insights into the evolution of language by examining how linguistic forms and structures have developed to meet the …………… communicative needs of human societies over time. Functionalism contributes to our understanding of language acquisition by examining how children learn language in …………… and communicative contexts. It explores the role of input, interaction, and communicative necessity in the acquisition process. Functionalism places a strong emphasis on the analysis of …………… units of language, such as texts and discourses. I