Speech Act Theory Overview
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Questions and Answers

What is a speech act?

  • A written text without spoken words
  • A conversation between two or more people
  • An utterance made to achieve an effect (correct)
  • A speech given in public

    • Which type of speech act involves simply stating facts?

  • Illocutionary act
  • Perlocutionary act
  • Locutionary act (correct)
  • Indirect speech act

    • What does an illocutionary act represent?

  • The resulting effect of an utterance
  • The social function behind an utterance (correct)
  • An inquiry about ability
  • The actual production of sounds

    • What defines a performative utterance?

    <p>It's an utterance that can change reality. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of an indirect speech act?

    <p>Can you pass the rice? (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In speech act theory, what is the locutionary act primarily concerned with?

    <p>The literal act of making sounds or writing (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a type of speech act described by J.L. Austin?

    <p>Conversational act (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by an inferred speech act?

    <p>It implies a different meaning than expressed. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of illocutionary act is represented by the statement 'Could you please pass the rice?'

    <p>Directive (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of an assertive illocutionary act?

    <p>Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a commissive illocutionary act entail?

    <p>Committing to performing a future action. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The statement 'I swear I will finish the project on Friday' is an example of which illocutionary act?

    <p>Commissives (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which illocutionary act would 'I’m sorry for your loss' best represent?

    <p>Expressive (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements represents a directive illocutionary act?

    <p>Please do the dishes. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of illocutionary act is demonstrated by the sentence 'Therefore, I believe that when we unite, we can accomplish the task'?

    <p>Assertive (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which illocutionary act emphasizes the speaker's commitment to future actions?

    <p>Commissive (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Speech Act

    An utterance a speaker uses to achieve a specific effect.

    Locutionary Act

    The basic act of uttering words to form a sentence.

    Illocutionary Act

    The intended social function or the speaker's intention behind the words.

    Perlocutionary Act

    The resulting effect of what is said, the impact on the listener.

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    Performative Utterance

    A statement that, when said correctly, performs an action.

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    Indirect Speech Act

    When the form of the utterance doesn't directly match the intended meaning.

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    Communicative Competence

    Understanding how to use speech acts correctly in different contexts.

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    Example of Speech Act

    A typical sentence (e.g., "It is raining outside") illustrating the concept of a speech act.

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    Assertive Illocutionary Act

    Expressing a belief about the truth of a statement.

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    Directive Illocutionary Act

    Trying to get someone to do something.

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    Commissive Illocutionary Act

    Committing the speaker to doing something in the future.

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    Expressive Illocutionary Act

    Expressing feelings or emotions.

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    Example of Assertive Act

    Stating a belief about the truth, like concluding something or boasting about an ability

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    Study Notes

    Speech Act Theory

    • Speech acts are utterances that speakers use to achieve an intended effect
    • They can encompass one word or several sentences
    • J.L. Austin (1962) identified three types of acts in every utterance
    • These acts are locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary

    Locutionary Act

    • The basic act of producing sounds or writing sentences
    • Simply the act of saying something
    • Example: "It is raining outside." - simply stating a fact

    Illocutionary Act

    • The intended social function behind the words
    • Beyond simply stating something, it involves requesting, promising, apologizing, or commanding
    • Example: "Please do the dishes." - a request for the addressee to wash dishes

    Perlocutionary Act

    • The resulting action caused by what is said
    • Based on the specific context, leading to a change
    • Example: "Please do the dishes." - leading to dish washing

    Indirect Speech Acts

    • Occur when the form of the utterance doesn't directly relate to the intended meaning
    • Differ in force (intention) from the inferred speech act
    • Example: "Can you pass the rice?" - the inferred speech act is "Do you have the ability to hand over the rice?", and indirect speech act is "Please pass the rice."

    Performative Utterances

    • Statements used to perform an action through simply stating it
    • The utterance must be made by the right person, under the right circumstances, to bring about a change in the world
    • Examples: "I now pronounce you husband and wife." or "I sentence you to ten years imprisonment."

    Types of Illocutionary Acts (Based on Searle's Classification)

    • Assertive: Expressing belief about the truth of a proposition ("The Earth is round.")
    • Directive: To make the addressee perform an action ("Give me the book.")
    • Commissive: The speaker commits to doing something in the future ("I will call you.")
    • Expressive: Expressing feelings or emotional reactions ("I'm sorry for your loss.")
    • Declaration: Brings about a change in the external situation ("I now pronounce you husband and wife.")

    Communicative Competence

    • The ability to use linguistic knowledge to effectively communicate with others
    • Essential for using and understanding speech acts

    Additional Examples

    • Locutionary Act: "It's cold in here."
    • Illocutionary Act: Indirect request to increase the temperature.
    • Perlocutionary Act: The addressee increases the temperature

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    Related Documents

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    Description

    Explore the fundamentals of Speech Act Theory, which delves into how utterances serve to achieve various intended effects. This quiz covers the three main types of speech acts identified by J.L. Austin: locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary acts. Test your understanding of how these concepts apply in communication.

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