Module Test 1

1. Comment on the illocution of the following items in the Code. Underline

the lexical items that indicate it. /5 points
Code of Conduct

• Pupils must conduct themselves with common sense at all times.

• The school is often judged by the appearance of its pupils so all pupils are
expected to be familiar with and adhere to the dress code.
• Pupils must treat each other, and visitors, with courtesy and consideration.
• Pupils must respect the authority of staff and of senior pupils entrusted by staff
with particular responsibilities.
• Pupils must respect the amenities and property of the school and the local
community.
• Times, commitments and restricted areas are clearly stated; pupils should abide
by these and always check details on notice boards.
• Parental and house permission is essential for ‘leave’ and for permission to travel
in any car.
• The drinking of alcohol, bullying, smoking, sexual impropriety, stealing and
vandalism are not tolerated. Sanctions for major offences vary but in the last resort
the Headmaster reserves the right to expel a pupil, particularly those who have
disregard for the law of the land.

Answer:
Having analysed the context of the presented ‘Code of conduct’, I highlighted the
lexical items which perform language lexicon. These types of texts (laws,
regulations, codes, ecc.) are characterized by the following features, such as:
lexical dryness, unambiguity of theses (are not tolerated, must treat, ecc.), low
amount of literary techniques and emotional charged words.

2. Define the structure (speak on locution, illocution, perlocution), type of the

speech acts
Speech Acts Analysis of Kerry’s Speech /4 points
Example:

Locution Middle class families deserve a

new choice, and one month from today,
they’ll have one.
Locution
Locution: “Middle class families deserve a new choice, and one month from today,
they’ll have one”
Illocution: commissive (promising)
Perlocution: encouragement and hopefulness.

a) Locution: “That’s what I stand for, that’s who I’ve fought for, and if you give
me the chance, that’s where I’ll lead this nation as your president”.
Illocution: commissive (promising)
Perlocution: persuasion

b) Locution:

c) Locution
“We will offer after school opportunities to another 2 million children, so your kids
have a safe place to go while you work.”
Illocution: assertive (telling, claiming)
Perlocution: offer and convince
c) Locution: “We can fight for the middle class with my plan to finally make
America energy independent of Mideast oil.”
Illocution: declaration
Perlocution: suggestion of influence on middle class

d)Locution
d) “Never tiring, never yielding, never finishing, we renew that purpose today, to
make our country more just and generous, to affirm the
dignity of our lives and every life.”
Illocution: declaration
Perlocution: suggestion of pride and patriotism

3. Comment on obeying or disobeying of maxims, single or multiple

violation. What implicatures can be employed? /6 points

a) John: Where have you been? I searched everywhere for you during the past
three months! • Mike: I wasn’t around. So, what’s the big deal?
Here we can see the disobeying of maxims, multiple violation of them. Here
they are: violated maxim of relation (Avoiding the question where) and
maxim of quality (Mike is probably lying)

b) Sarah: Did you enjoy the party last night? • Anna: There was plenty of
oriental food on the table, lots of flowers all over the place, people hanging
around chatting with each other…
 Here we can see the disobeying of maxims. In this sentence the following
maxims are violated: the maxim of quantity (we receive too much
information) and the maxim of relation.

c) John: Where have you been? I searched everywhere for you during the past
three months! • Mike: I wasn’t around. So, what’s the big deal?
Here we can see the maxim of relation being violated (Mike is avoiding the
question about where he was.