L3 Speech Acts PDF

SPEECH ACT  LEARNING TARGETS I can … define speech acts distinguish types of speech act recognize that communicative competence requires understanding of speech acts reflect on your learning on the types of speech acts  SPEECH ACT It is an utterance that a speaker makes to achi...

SPEECH ACT  LEARNING TARGETS I can … define speech acts distinguish types of speech act recognize that communicative competence requires understanding of speech acts reflect on your learning on the types of speech acts  SPEECH ACT It is an utterance that a speaker makes to achieve an intended effect It might contain just one word or several words or sentences. According to J. L. Austin (1962), a philosopher of language and the developer of the Speech Act Theory, there are three types of acts in every utterance, given the right circumstances or context.  Locutionary act is the actual act of uttering. Illocutionary act is the social function of what is said. Perlocutionary act is the resulting act of what is said. Locutionary act The basic act of producing sounds or writing that form a sentence. It is simply the act of saying something EXAMPLE: It is raining outside. The speaker is simply informing the listener about the fact that it is raining outside. There is no hidden intention or additional action implied beyond the act of stating that rain is occurring. EXAMPLE: I left my keys on the table. The speaker is conveying factual information about the location of the keys. EXAMPLE: Please do the dishes. While the sentence itself seems simple, it actually functions as more than a locutionary act. Illocutionary act The act performed with an intention behind the words. This is where the speaker is doing something beyond just speaking, like requesting, promising, apologizing, or commanding. EXAMPLE: Please do the dishes. By uttering the locution “Please do the dishes,” the speaker requests the addressee to wash the dishes. There are also indirect speech acts which occur when there is no direct connection between the form of the utterance and the intended meaning. They are different in force (i.e., intention) from the inferred speech act. For example, read the following utterance. “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. Austin also introduced the concept of performative utterances: statements which enable the speaker to perform something just by stating it. A performative utterance said by the right person under the right circumstances results in a change in the world. Note that certain conditions have to be met when making a performative utterance. Perlocutionary act - is the resulting act of what is said. - this is based on the particular context in which the speech act was mentioned.  “Please do the dishes” would lead to the addressee washing the dishes. As a response to Austin’s Speech Act Theory, John Searle (1976), a professor from the University of California, Berkeley, classified illocutionary acts into five distinct categories. Assertive – a type of illocutionary act in which the speaker expresses belief about the truth of a proposition. Suggesting Boasting Swearing Concluding  The Earth is round. - where the speaker is asserting or claiming something to be true No one makes better pancakes than I do. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. - The speaker is asserting a fact about the physical properties of water. I am still the best student in class. - The speaker is boasting about him being the best in class. Therefore, I believe that when we unite, we can accomplish the task. - The speaker is concluding that if they work with unity, they can accomplish the task. Directive – a type of illocutionary act in which the speaker tries to make the addressee perform an action. Ordering Advising Begging Inviting  Give me the book. - The speaker is giving a direct order to the listener.  Could you please pass the rice? - The speaker is politely asking the listener to do something. I think you should all take a break. - The speaker is advising or suggesting an action to the listeners. If you found someone better than me, even if it hurts, please, just let me know. Commissive – a type of illocutionary act which commits the speaker to doing something in the future. Planning Promising Vowing Betting  I will call you. - This statement is a commitment to make a phone call at a later time.  I promise to attend the class tomorrow. - This statement is a commitment to be present at a specific event.  I swear I will finish the project on Friday. - The speaker is making a strong commitment to complete a project by a specified deadline. Expressive – a type of illocutionary act in which the speaker expresses his/her feelings or emotional reactions. Thanking Apologizing Welcoming Deploring  I’m sorry for your loss. -The speaker expresses sympathy and sorrow regarding someone’s loss.  Congratulations on your promotion! -The speaker expresses joy and happiness for the listener’s achievement. Atasha, don’t worry. You’re welcome in this family. Declaration – a type of illocutionary act which brings a change in the external situation. Simply put, declarations bring into existence or cause the state of affairs which they refer to.  Firing Passing a sentence Baptizing Bidding  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. I sentenced you to ten years imprisonment. -The judge officially imposes a legal punishment on the defendant. You are fired! Always keep in mind that speech acts include concrete life interactions that require the appropriate use of language within a given culture. Communicative competence (i.e., the ability to use linguistic knowledge to effectively communicate with others) is essential for a speaker to be able to use and understand speech acts.