Phatic Expressions in Schwanks by Hans Sachs

Abstract

The subject of this article is phatic expressions in the Schwanks by Hans Sachs, one of the most prominent representatives of this genre. In line with Roman Jakobson’s works the phatic function is regarded as one of the six basic functions of the language, along with the expressive, conative, referential, metalingual and poetic functions. The phatic function is represented by expressions that are aimed at initiating, maintaining and ending communication. In the Schwanks by Hans Sachs the contact-making type of the phatic function is expressed by such means as direct address (the most frequent form), imperative expressions of certain semantics and units of verbal etiquette. Situations where the contact is being broken are occasional and expressed solely by units of verbal etiquette. Initiating, maintaining and breaking contact relate both to the dialogues found in the Schwanks and to the communication between the author and the reader, which is typical of medieval literature.