Speech Acts and Their Types

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Questions and Answers

What type of speech act focuses on the actual act of uttering?

Illocutionary act

Perlocutionary act

Locutionary act (correct)

Indirect speech act

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

The speaker says 'I am hungry'.

The speaker asks a question.

The speaker states a fact.

The speaker says an opinion. (correct)

What distinguishes a perlocutionary act from locutionary and illocutionary acts?

It is the result of the utterance. (correct)

It concerns the act of pronouncing.

It requires a response from the addressee.

It involves the speaker's intention.

Which scenario best illustrates an indirect speech act?

Someone states they are cold. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of speech acts, what does the term 'performative utterance' refer to?

A statement that achieves something simply by being stated. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of communicative competence in relation to speech acts?

To ensure effective communication through context. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following phrases is a clear example of an illocutionary act made through indirect speech?

Can you help me with this? Signup and view all the answers

Which type of speech act would best describe the utterance 'Can you pass the rice?'

Indirect speech act Signup and view all the answers

Which example best highlights the concept of a locutionary act?

Asking someone to fetch a drink. Signup and view all the answers

How does the context affect perlocutionary acts?

It influences the listener's response or action. Signup and view all the answers

What must be in place for a statement to be classified as a performative act?

Felicity conditions must be met. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of Austin's felicity conditions?

The same statement must be used in all contexts. Signup and view all the answers

What type of illocutionary act is represented by the statement 'I promise to finish the report by tomorrow'?

Commissive Signup and view all the answers

Which illocutionary act is aimed at making the addressee perform a specific action?

Directive Signup and view all the answers

In which scenario would a statement likely NOT be considered a performative act?

An unauthorized person declaring a couple married. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of an expressive illocutionary act?

Conveying the speaker's emotional response. Signup and view all the answers

What happens if a priest attempted to wed two couples in an informal setting?

It would not fulfill the felicity conditions. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of speech act involves stating a belief about the truth of a proposition?

Assertive Signup and view all the answers

If someone thanks another person, what type of illocutionary act are they performing?

Expressive Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements exemplifies a directive illocutionary act?

Can you please pass the salt? Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Speech Act

A speech act is an utterance a speaker makes to achieve an intended effect.
Speech acts have functions like offering, apology, greeting, request, complaint, compliment, or refusal.
Examples include: "Thanks", "Thank you for always being there for me. I really appreciate it.", "I am hungry".

Types of Speech Act

Locutionary act: the actual act of uttering; occurs when the speaker performs an utterance.
- Example: Please do the dishes.
Illocutionary act: the social function of what is said, an act of saying something with the intention of stating opinion, confirming, denying, requesting, making order, etc.
- Example: By uttering "Please do the dishes," the speaker requests the addressee to wash the dishes.
Perlocutionary act: the resulting act of what is said. The effect is based on the context in which the speech act was mentioned.
- Example: "Please do the dishes" would lead to the addressee washing the dishes.

Indirect Speech Act

Indirect speech acts occur when there's no direct connection between the form of the utterance and the intended meaning.
- They differ in force (intention) from the inferred speech act.
Example: "Can you pass the rice?"
- Inferred speech act: Do you have the ability to hand over the rice?
- Indirect speech act: Please pass the rice.
Additional examples:
- "Can you check the cabinet for my phone?"-indirectly asks the listener to check the cabinet
- "Do you know if he/she got a 100 on the recent exam?"-indirectly asks the listener what someone's grade is.
- "The window is still open".-indirectly asks the listener to close the window

Performatives

Performative utterances are statements that enable the speaker to perform something just by stating it.
Example: The phrase "I now pronounce you husband and wife," when uttered by an authorized person such as a judge will have the actual effect of binding a couple in marriage.
Other examples include baptisms, sentencing of convicted felons.

Felicity Conditions

Conditions for a statement to be classified as a performative act.
Austin lists three felicity conditions:
- A conventional procedure with a conventional effect (such as in a wedding).
- Appropriate circumstances and persons. (e.g., a teacher can't sentence a convicted felon).
- Correct and complete procedure. (e.g., a priest in a formal setting marrying couples).

Searle's Classification of Speech Act

Assertive: a type of illocutionary act in which the speaker expresses belief about the truth of a proposition. Examples include suggesting, putting forward, swearing, boasting, and concluding.
- Example: No one makes better pancakes than I do.
Directive: a type of illocutionary act in which the speaker tries to make the addressee perform an action. Examples include asking, ordering, requesting, inviting, advising, and begging.
- Example: Please close the door.
Commissive: a type of illocutionary act that commits the speaker to doing something in the future. Examples include promising, planning, vowing, and betting.
- Example: From now on, I will participate in our group activity.
Expressive: a type of illocutionary act in which the speaker expresses his/her feelings or emotional reactions. Examples include thanking, apologizing, welcoming, and deploring.
- Example: I am so sorry for not helping out in our group projects and letting you do all the work.
Declaration: a type of illocutionary act that brings a change in the external situation. Examples include blessing, firing, baptizing, bidding, passing a sentence, and excommunicating.
- Example: You are fired!.
The notes highlight different types of speech acts used to express various intentions, and how communicative competence is needed to both understand language in general and correctly understand speech acts.

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of speech acts through this quiz. Understand the distinctions between locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary acts, along with their practical examples. Test your knowledge on how utterances are used to achieve specific social effects.