Types of Speech Styles PDF

**TYPES OF SPEECH STYLES** Communication has been categorized into different styles or modes. Speech style refers to the form of language that the speaker utilized which is characterized by the level of formality (Martin Joos, 1976). According to Joos (1976), there are five speech styles. These are...

**TYPES OF SPEECH STYLES** Communication has been categorized into different styles or modes. Speech style refers to the form of language that the speaker utilized which is characterized by the level of formality (Martin Joos, 1976). According to Joos (1976), there are five speech styles. These are *intimate, casual, consultative, formal, and frozen.* Each style dictates or proposes what appropriate language or vocabulary should be used or observed. 1. Intimate - This style is private, which occurs between or among close family members or intimate individuals. The language used in this style may not be shared in public. Examples: Couple talking about their future plans, family sharing ideas, very close friends sharing secrets, etc. 2. Casual - This style is common among peers and friends. Jargon, slang, street language, gay language, or vulgar words are used. Examples: Phone calls, everyday conversation with friends, chats. 3. Consultative - This style is the standard one. Professional or mutually acceptable language is a must in this style. Examples: Communication between teachers and students, doctor and patient, judge and lawyer, or employers and employees. 4. Formal - This style is used in formal settings. Unlike the consultative style, this is one way. Examples are sermons by priests and ministers, State of the Nation Address of the President, formal speeches, or pronouncements by judges. 5. Frozen - This style is "frozen" in time and remains unchanged. It mostly occurs in ceremonies. Common examples are the Preamble to the Constitution, The Lord's Prayer, and Allegiance to country or flag. **THREE TYPES OF SPEECH ACTS** A speech act is an utterance that a speaker makes to achieve an intended effect. According to J.L Austin (1962), there are three types of acts in every utterance, given the right circumstances or context. These are: 1. **Locutionary Act** is the act of making a meaningful utterance. What is required for the utterance to be a Locutionary Act is that it has **sense**, and most importantly has the **same meaning** to both Speaker and Listener (Flores, 2016). **Examples of Locutionary Act:** *"What?"* (When someone is surprised.) *"It's a bird!"* (When people see Superman in the sky.) 2. **Illocutionary Act** is the act of saying something with the **intention** of: - **stating** an opinion, confirming, or denying something; - **making** a prediction, a promise, or a request; - **issuing** an order or a decision; or - **giving** advice or permission. 3. **Perlocutionary Act** is seen when a particular effect is sought from either the speaker, the listener, or both. The response may not be necessarily be physical or verbal and is elicited by: - inspiring or insulting; - persuading/convincing; or - deterring/scaring. **Searle's Classification of Speech Acts** 1. **Assertive**- is a type of illocutionary act in which the speaker expresses a belief about the truth of a proposition. Some examples of assertive are suggesting, putting forward, swearing, boasting, and concluding. Example: *No one makes better novels than I do.* (boasting) 2. **Directive**- is a type of illocutionary act in which the speaker tries to make the addressee perform an action. Some examples of directive are asking, ordering, requesting, inviting, advising, and begging. Example: *Please turn off the aircon*. (ordering) 3. **Commissive**- is a type of illocutionary act which commits the speaker to doing something in the future. Examples of commissive are promising, planning, vowing, and betting. Example: *From now on, I will protect you.* (promising) 4. **Expressive-** is a type of illocutionary act in which the speaker expresses his/her emotional reactions. Some examples are thanking, apologizing, welcoming, and deploring. Example: *I am so sorry for not helping out in our activity.* (apologizing) 5. **Declaration**- is a type of illocutionary act that brings a change in the external situation. Declarations bring into existence or cause the state of affairs which they refer to. Some examples of declarations are blessing, firing, baptizing, and bidding. Example: You are fired!