Pragmatic analysis of silence in communication

According to Jensen (1973, as cited in Jaworski, 1993, pp. 66-67), when we view silence as a means of communication, then it (silence) serves two functions: positive and negative. Jensen states that silence can link or separate people, heal or wound, expose or hide information, indicate favour or disfavour, signal activity or inactivity. From the foregoing, Jensen classifies functions of silence into five categories:

• Linkage
• Affecting
• Revelation
• Judgemental