phatic
- noun
- /ˈfætɪk/
- Specialized
- Such ritualized communications, which establish, define, and maintain, and in their absence refuse, deny, or abrogate social relations, are in Jakobsonian/Malinowskian terms "phatic." Rituals create and define the contexts.
- phatic communication
Examples
-
The "message" of ritual phatic communication is not propositional; it does not make a statement about an object or act.
Academic text (1995) -
During the meeting, she made a phatic comment about the weather to break the ice.
-
The speaker who repeats does not seem to add anything new to what has already been said; he simply shows that he endorses and accepts the information offered by his interlocutor, if only as a signal that he is listening, that is, as a phatic signal of keeping the channel open.
Academic text (2005) -
At the party, everyone exchanged phatic remarks to keep the conversation light and friendly.
-
They greeted each other with phatic expressions, not intending to share any important news.
Synonyms
1
8.4
Brief talk that starts or keeps friendly contact without important information
Words used to start or keep a friendly talk, not to give information
Antonyms
Compounds
- Specialized
1
8.4
Brief talk that starts or keeps friendly contact without important information
How Social
Surface Forms
Etymology
A phatic comes from the Greek phaticos meaning 'spoken' and was popularised in the phrase 'phatic communion' for friendly talk. So a phatic is a short remark, like 'How are you?', that mainly helps start or keep a social connection instead of sharing facts.