Malinowski introduces the concept of ‘phatic communion’, highlighting the bonding function of language, into linguistics, discussing (Trobriand) language used in what he calls “free, aimless social intercourse”, mentioning “inquiries about health, weather comments, and greeting formulae". Still 'phatic communion’ is a relatively neglected linguistic area: the universality of the concept has been questioned by writers like Hymes and Crystal, and as there is generally more behind an utterance which is said to serve only a phatic function, the concept needs to be modified and redefined.