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What is the primary purpose of the personal function of language?

  1. To maintain contact with others

  2. To inform

  3. To assert identity and make choices

  4. To control behavior

The correct answer is: To assert identity and make choices

The personal function of language primarily serves to assert identity and make choices. This function emphasizes the individual's feelings, thoughts, beliefs, and opinions, which are expressed through language. By using language in a personal way, individuals can communicate their unique perspectives and experiences, establishing their identities in conversations and social interactions. Additionally, this function allows individuals to express their preferences, ambitions, and desires, thereby influencing their decisions and actions. While maintaining contact with others, informing, and controlling behavior are important aspects of language use, they fall under different functional categories. The personal function, however, distinctly emphasizes self-expression and individual agency, which is central to understanding its role in communication.