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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of an assertive speech act?
Which speech act is characterized by committing the speaker to some voluntary future actions?
What differentiates a declaration from other illocutionary acts?
Which of the following best describes an expressive speech act?
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In speech act theory, a directive is primarily aimed at which of the following?
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What is the primary focus of a locutionary act?
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Which statement best describes an illocutionary act?
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Which of the following statements about perlocutionary acts is true?
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Speech Act Theory was primarily advanced by which philosopher?
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Which of these acts is NOT a category of illocutionary acts?
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According to the principles of Speech Act Theory, what role does the context of an utterance play?
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Which of the following best defines a speech act?
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What type of act is performed when a speaker simply states a fact without any intention to influence the listener?
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What defines a locutionary act?
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Which example best illustrates an illocutionary act?
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What does a perlocutionary act focus on?
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Which of the following is NOT a category of illocutionary act according to Searle?
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In the example 'I promise that won't happen again,' what type of speech act is this?
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What does the term 'speech act theory' primarily examine?
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Which statement best captures the relationship between illocutionary and perlocutionary acts?
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What might be the effect of a perlocutionary act when someone exclaims 'I am upset!'?
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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
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Locutionary Act: Simply saying something. Production of an utterance with structure, meaning, and reference.
- Example: "What is the weather like today?"
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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.
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Perlocutionary Act: The actual effect of the utterance on the listener.
- Example: The listener tells the speaker the weather.
Categories of Illocutionary Acts
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Assertive: Representing the world as being a certain way.
- Example: "The sun is shining."
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Directive: Attempts to get the listener to do something.
- Example: "Close the door."
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Commissive: Commits the speaker to a future action.
- Example: "I promise I'll be there."
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Expressive: Expresses the speaker's feelings or attitudes.
- Example: "I am so happy!"
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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.