Definition

Noun: - Phatic communication: Speech or conversational utterances whose primary function is to establish, maintain, or manage social relationships and rapport, rather than to convey factual information or ideas.

Usage

Phatic communication is used in social interactions to perform a relational function. It is often ritualistic and follows cultural conventions for polite interaction. Its core purpose is to acknowledge the other person and sustain a channel of communication, demonstrating sociability and goodwill.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• Phatic function of language: In linguistics, this refers to one of the key functions of language identified by Roman Jakobson, focusing on the channel of communication and the connection between speakers.
• Phatic communion: A synonymous term coined by anthropologist Bronisław Malinowski, describing speech used to create ties of union through the mere exchange of words.

Variants and Related Words

• Phatic (Adjective): Describing language or an utterance that serves this social function.
  • A phatic expression; phatic talk.
• Phatically (Adverb): In a phatic manner.
  • They spoke phatically for a few minutes before the meeting.

Synonyms

• Small talk: Informal, polite conversation about unimportant matters.
• Social grease: Language that smooths social interactions.
• Ritualistic speech: Conventional utterances following social rituals.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Breaking the ice: Initiating conversation in a social setting, often using phatic communication.
  • He told a joke to break the ice at the start of the presentation.
• Making conversation: Engaging in talk primarily to be sociable, not due to a pressing need to communicate specific information.
  • I was just making conversation while we waited for the bus.

Noun

1. conversational speech used to communicate sociability more than information