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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of an assertive speech act?
What is the primary purpose of an assertive speech act?
- To express the speaker's emotions about a proposition.
- To change an external situation.
- To commit the speaker to future actions.
- To provide a representation of reality. (correct)
Which speech act is characterized by committing the speaker to some voluntary future actions?
Which speech act is characterized by committing the speaker to some voluntary future actions?
- Directive
- Declaration
- Commissive (correct)
- Expressive
What differentiates a declaration from other illocutionary acts?
What differentiates a declaration from other illocutionary acts?
- It represents reality without altering it.
- It represents a change in the external situation. (correct)
- It commands action from the listener.
- It expresses the speaker's feelings towards a proposal.
Which of the following best describes an expressive speech act?
Which of the following best describes an expressive speech act?
In speech act theory, a directive is primarily aimed at which of the following?
In speech act theory, a directive is primarily aimed at which of the following?
What is the primary focus of a locutionary act?
What is the primary focus of a locutionary act?
Which statement best describes an illocutionary act?
Which statement best describes an illocutionary act?
Which of the following statements about perlocutionary acts is true?
Which of the following statements about perlocutionary acts is true?
Speech Act Theory was primarily advanced by which philosopher?
Speech Act Theory was primarily advanced by which philosopher?
Which of these acts is NOT a category of illocutionary acts?
Which of these acts is NOT a category of illocutionary acts?
According to the principles of Speech Act Theory, what role does the context of an utterance play?
According to the principles of Speech Act Theory, what role does the context of an utterance play?
Which of the following best defines a speech act?
Which of the following best defines a speech act?
What type of act is performed when a speaker simply states a fact without any intention to influence the listener?
What type of act is performed when a speaker simply states a fact without any intention to influence the listener?
What defines a locutionary act?
What defines a locutionary act?
Which example best illustrates an illocutionary act?
Which example best illustrates an illocutionary act?
What does a perlocutionary act focus on?
What does a perlocutionary act focus on?
Which of the following is NOT a category of illocutionary act according to Searle?
Which of the following is NOT a category of illocutionary act according to Searle?
In the example 'I promise that won't happen again,' what type of speech act is this?
In the example 'I promise that won't happen again,' what type of speech act is this?
What does the term 'speech act theory' primarily examine?
What does the term 'speech act theory' primarily examine?
Which statement best captures the relationship between illocutionary and perlocutionary acts?
Which statement best captures the relationship between illocutionary and perlocutionary acts?
What might be the effect of a perlocutionary act when someone exclaims 'I am upset!'?
What might be the effect of a perlocutionary act when someone exclaims 'I am upset!'?
Study Notes
Speech Act Theory
- Speech Act Theory was influenced by the Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein.
- John Austin developed the theory in the late 1930s and 1950s.
- John R. Searle refined and advanced the theory.
- The core of Speech Act Theory is that saying something is an action.
- Utterances occur within social frameworks and conventions.
Three Types of Speech Acts
- Locutionary Act: Simply saying something. Production of an utterance with structure, meaning, and reference.
- Example: "What is the weather like today?"
- Illocutionary Act: The intended effect of the utterance, or what the speaker intends to do by saying something.
- Example: Asking for information about the weather.
- Perlocutionary Act: The actual effect of the utterance on the listener.
- Example: The listener tells the speaker the weather.
Categories of Illocutionary Acts
- Assertive: Representing the world as being a certain way.
- Example: "The sun is shining."
- Directive: Attempts to get the listener to do something.
- Example: "Close the door."
- Commissive: Commits the speaker to a future action.
- Example: "I promise I'll be there."
- Expressive: Expresses the speaker's feelings or attitudes.
- Example: "I am so happy!"
- Declaration: Changes the state of affairs by uttering it.
- Example: "I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Locution, Illocution, Perlocution
- Locution: The words uttered or written.
- Illocution: The speaker's intention.
- Perlocution: The intended or actual effect of the utterance.
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Description
Explore the fundamentals of Speech Act Theory, including its origins with philosophers like Ludwig Wittgenstein and John Austin. Learn about the three types of speech acts: locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary, along with categories of illocutionary acts. This quiz will enhance your understanding of how language functions as action within social contexts.
